Abstract: Surface morphology of Ceratocanthus beetle elytra was investigated for spike surface texture and its geometry using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Material properties were analyzed for both surface and cross-section of elytra using nano-indentation technique. The spike texture was significantly rigid compared with the non-textured zone; a bi-layer system of E and H was identified at the elytra cross-section. Normal load acting on spike texture during free-fall conditions was estimated analytically and deflection equation was derived. The design of spike texture with conical base was studied for minimization of deflection and volume using the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA-II) optimization technique, confirming the smart design of the natural solution. The frictional behavior of elytra was studied using fundamental tribology test and the role of the oriented spike texture was investigated for frictional anisotropy. Compression resistance of full beetle was evaluated for both conglobated and non-conglobated configuration and tensile strengths were compared using Brazilian test. Puncture and wear resistance of full elytra were characterized and correlated with its defense mechanism.

Key words: Ceratocanthinae beetle')">Ceratocanthinae beetle, Elytra, Surface texture, Friction, Design optimization, Puncture-resistance