The Geometry and Mechanics of Insect Wing Deformations in Flight: A Modelling Approach
The nature, occurrence, morphological basis and functions of insect wing deformation in flight are reviewed. The importance of relief in supporting the wing is stressed, and three types are recognized, namely corrugation, an M-shaped section and camber, all of which need to be overcome if wings are...
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Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/11/7/446 |
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doaj-df804cb824f14e7aa0c948a1ff833f8b2020-11-25T03:59:50ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502020-07-011144644610.3390/insects11070446The Geometry and Mechanics of Insect Wing Deformations in Flight: A Modelling ApproachRobin Wootton0Department of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Address for correspondence 61 Thornton Hill, Exeter EX4 4NR, UKThe nature, occurrence, morphological basis and functions of insect wing deformation in flight are reviewed. The importance of relief in supporting the wing is stressed, and three types are recognized, namely corrugation, an M-shaped section and camber, all of which need to be overcome if wings are to bend usefully in the morphological upstroke. How this is achieved, and how bending, torsion and change in profile are mechanically interrelated, are explored by means of simple physical models which reflect situations that are visible in high speed photographs and films. The shapes of lines of transverse flexion are shown to reflect the timing and roles of bending, and their orientation is shown to determine the extent of the torsional component of the deformation process. Some configurations prove to allow two stable conditions, others to be monostable. The possibility of active remote control of wing rigidity by the thoracic musculature is considered, but the extent of this remains uncertain.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/11/7/446insectswingsdeformationflightbendingtorsion |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Robin Wootton |
spellingShingle |
Robin Wootton The Geometry and Mechanics of Insect Wing Deformations in Flight: A Modelling Approach Insects insects wings deformation flight bending torsion |
author_facet |
Robin Wootton |
author_sort |
Robin Wootton |
title |
The Geometry and Mechanics of Insect Wing Deformations in Flight: A Modelling Approach |
title_short |
The Geometry and Mechanics of Insect Wing Deformations in Flight: A Modelling Approach |
title_full |
The Geometry and Mechanics of Insect Wing Deformations in Flight: A Modelling Approach |
title_fullStr |
The Geometry and Mechanics of Insect Wing Deformations in Flight: A Modelling Approach |
title_full_unstemmed |
The Geometry and Mechanics of Insect Wing Deformations in Flight: A Modelling Approach |
title_sort |
geometry and mechanics of insect wing deformations in flight: a modelling approach |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Insects |
issn |
2075-4450 |
publishDate |
2020-07-01 |
description |
The nature, occurrence, morphological basis and functions of insect wing deformation in flight are reviewed. The importance of relief in supporting the wing is stressed, and three types are recognized, namely corrugation, an M-shaped section and camber, all of which need to be overcome if wings are to bend usefully in the morphological upstroke. How this is achieved, and how bending, torsion and change in profile are mechanically interrelated, are explored by means of simple physical models which reflect situations that are visible in high speed photographs and films. The shapes of lines of transverse flexion are shown to reflect the timing and roles of bending, and their orientation is shown to determine the extent of the torsional component of the deformation process. Some configurations prove to allow two stable conditions, others to be monostable. The possibility of active remote control of wing rigidity by the thoracic musculature is considered, but the extent of this remains uncertain. |
topic |
insects wings deformation flight bending torsion |
url |
https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/11/7/446 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT robinwootton thegeometryandmechanicsofinsectwingdeformationsinflightamodellingapproach AT robinwootton geometryandmechanicsofinsectwingdeformationsinflightamodellingapproach |
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