Control of high-speed jumps in muscle and spring actuated systems: a comparative study of take-off energetics in bush-crickets (Mecopoda elongata) and locusts (Schistocerca gregaria)

• DOI: 10.1007/s00360-023-01524-2
• Publication Date: 2023-10-19T18:02:47Z
• Authors: Chloe K. Goode; Charlie Woodrow; Shannon L. Harrison; D. Charles Deeming; Gregory P. Sutton
• Keywords: Grasshopper; Insect flight; Rotational energy; Energetics

The Orthoptera are a diverse insect order well known for their locomotive capabilities. To jump, the bush-cricket uses muscle actuated (MA) system in which leg extension is by contraction of femoral muscles hind legs. In comparison, locust latch mediated spring (LaMSA) system, recoil spring-like structure femur. aim this study was to describe jumping kinematics Mecopoda elongata (Tettigoniidae) and compare existing data Schistocerca gregaria (Acrididae), determine differences control rotation during take-off between similarly sized MA LaMSA jumpers. 269 jumps from 67 individuals M. with masses 0.014 g 3.01 were recorded high-speed camera setup. elongata, linear velocity increased mass0.18 angular (pitch) decreased mass-0.13. S. gregaria, constant decreases mass-0.24. Despite these scaling, ratio translational kinetic energy rotational similar both species. On average, distribution distributed 98.8% 1.2% energy, whilst it 98.7% 1.3%, respectively. This independent size having two different jump actuation mechanisms, formed fixed across distantly related orthopterans.