Moth resonant mechanics are tuned to wingbeat frequency and energetic demands.
Proc Biol Sci
; 291(2025): 20240317, 2024 Jun.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38920055
ABSTRACT
An insect's wingbeat frequency is a critical determinant of its flight performance and varies by multiple orders of magnitude across Insecta. Despite potential energetic benefits for an insect that matches its wingbeat frequency to its resonant frequency, recent work has shown that moths may operate off their resonant peak. We hypothesized that across species, wingbeat frequency scales with resonance frequency to maintain favourable energetics, but with an offset in species that use frequency modulation as a means of flight control. The moth superfamily Bombycoidea is ideal for testing this hypothesis because their wingbeat frequencies vary across species by an order of magnitude, despite similar morphology and actuation. We used materials testing, high-speed videography and a model of resonant aerodynamics to determine how components of an insect's flight apparatus (stiffness, wing inertia, muscle strain and aerodynamics) vary with wingbeat frequency. We find that the resonant frequency of a moth correlates with wingbeat frequency, but resonance curve shape (described by the Weis-Fogh number) and peak location vary within the clade in a way that corresponds to frequency-dependent biomechanical demands. Our results demonstrate that a suite of adaptations in muscle, exoskeleton and wing drive variation in resonant mechanics, reflecting potential constraints on matching wingbeat and resonant frequencies.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Asas de Animais
/
Voo Animal
/
Mariposas
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article