The aerodynamics of hovering flight inDrosophila

• DOI: 10.1242/jeb.01612
• Publication Date: 2005-06-06T18:08:14Z
• Authors: Steven N. Fry; Rosalyn Sayaman; Michael H. Dickinson
• Keywords: Insect flight

SUMMARY Using 3D infrared high-speed video, we captured the continuous wing and body kinematics of free-flying fruit flies, Drosophila melanogaster,during hovering slow forward flight. We then `replayed' on a dynamically scaled robotic model to measure aerodynamic forces produced by wings. Hovering animals generate U-shaped trajectory, in which large drag during downward plunge at start each stroke create peak vertical forces. Quasi-steady mechanisms could account for nearly all mean measured force required hover, although temporal discrepancies between instantaneous predictions indicate that unsteady also play significant role. analyzed requirements from an analysis time history moments six degrees freedom. The necessary sufficient lift are highly constrained requirement balance thrust pitch torque over cycle. compare motion free tethered flies. Tethering causes strong distortion pattern results reduction translational prominent nose-down moment. stereotyped under conditions is most likely due disruption sensory feedback. Finally, calculated flight power based directly measurements forces, yielded higher estimate muscle than prior estimates time-averaged parameters. This discrepancy mostly two- threefold underestimate profile coefficient studies. compared our values with same models using more accurate kinematic input parameters videography measurements. In this case, tended overestimate costs.