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Close encounters among flying locusts produce wing-beat coupling
1Department of Cell and Animal Biology, and Charles E.Smith Lab., Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel.
Journal of Comparative Physiology. A, Sensory, Neural, and Behavioral Physiology
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Locusts flying in tandem synchronize their wing beats by sensing the turbulent air wake of the leader. This aerodynamic coupling allows trailing locusts to gain an advantage, even in large swarms.
Area of Science:
- Aerodynamics
- Animal behavior
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Flying animals generate turbulent air wakes.
- Tailing animals experience complex aerodynamic forces from these wakes.
- Understanding inter-animal aerodynamic interactions is key to swarm dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how locusts interact aerodynamically when flying in tandem.
- To identify the sensory mechanisms locusts use to couple their flight.
- To determine the functional significance of this coupling for individual locusts and swarms.
Main Methods:
- Tethered locusts (Locusta migratoria) were flown in tandem in a wind tunnel.
- Wing-beat coupling and phase angles were measured.
- The role of wind-receptive hairs on the head was investigated.
Main Results:
- Locusts flying in tandem phase-couple their wing-beats.
- Wind-receptive hairs on the head are crucial for sensory input and coupling.
- The phase angle of coupling is dependent on the distance between locusts.
- This coupling allows locusts to exploit the turbulent wake for aerodynamic advantage.
Conclusions:
- Locusts actively couple their wing-beats to neighbors' wakes.
- Aerodynamic coupling provides a benefit to trailing locusts.
- Local groups within locust swarms can function as integrated aerodynamic units.
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