Aerodynamics of the Smallest Flying Insects
Abstract
We present fluid dynamics videos of the flight of some of the smallest insects including the jewel wasp, Ampulex compressa, and thrips, Thysanoptera spp. The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, is large in comparison to these insects. While the fruit fly flies at Re ≈ 120, the jewel wasp flies at Re ≈ 60, and thrips flies at Re ≈ 10. Differences in the general structures of the wakes generated by each species are observed. The differences in the wakes correspond to changes in the ratio of lift forces (vertical component) to drag forces (horizontal component) generated.
Turn this paper into a lesson
ArcXiv compiles a structured reading guide from this paper's metadata: plain-English importance, contributions, prerequisite concepts, which sections to read first, flashcards, and a quiz. Grounded in the abstract, never invented.