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Morphology of Insect Wings and Airflow Produced by Flapping Insects

Department of Mechanical Systems and Design Engineering, Iwaki Meisei University, Iino 5-5-1, Chuohdai, Iwaki 970-8551, Japan, koji{at}iwakimu.ac.jp

Seiichi Sudo

Department of Machine Intelligence and Systems Engineering, Akita Prefectural University, Ebinokuchi 84-4 Tsuchiya, Yurihonjo 015-0055, Japan

Junji Tani

Institute of Fluid Science, Tohoku University, Katahira 2-1-1, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan

This article describes the results of some experiments concerning wing morphology and flight performance of some flying insects: cicadas, dragonflies, and gadflies. First, the wing structures of these insects are measured down to the minutest detail by a three-dimensional curve-shaped measuring system. The surface shapes of the insect wings are mapped by distinct three-dimensional images. From the three-dimensional images, correlation coefficients are calculated by comparisons of the distribution of undulation on the wings. The surface shapes and the correlation coefficients show a difference in functions for flapping flight between each wing. Second, the distribution of velocity fields around a flapping cicada and a flapping dragonfly are visualized with a PIV system to identify the airflow generated by the wings. The distribution of velocity vectors for one stroke of a dragonfly wing is explained in the article. Additionally, the difference of airflow around the wings of a dragonfly and a cicada are revealed. It is found that the flapping forewing of the dragonfly carries out an important motion in its highly efficient flight.

Key Words: biomechanics • flapping flight of insect • morphology of wing • PIV system

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