Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Aerodynamic performance of the locust wing in gliding mode at low Reynolds number

  • Published:
Journal of Bionic Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Gliding is an important flight mode for insects because it saves energy during long distance flight without ing flapping. In this study, we investigated the influence of locust wing corrugation on the aerodynamic performance in gliding mode at low Reynolds number. Numerical simulations using two-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations are applied to study the gliding flight, which reveals the interaction between forewing and hindwing. The lift of the corrugated airfoil in a locust wing decreases from the wing root to the tip. Simulation results show that the pressure drags on the forewing and hindwing increase with an increase in wing thickness; while the lift-drag ratio of the airfoil is marginally affected by the corrugation on the airfoil. Geometric parameters analysis of the locust wing is also carried out, which includes the corrugation height, the corrugation placement and the shapes of leading and trailing edges.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Joong K, Jae H H. A multibody approach for 6-DOF flight dynamics and stability analysis of the hawkmoth Manduca sexta. Journal of Insect Physiology, 2015, 74, 10–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Kesel A B. Aerodynamic characteristics of dragonfly wing sections compared with technical aerofoils. Journal of Experimental Biology, 2000, 203, 3125–3135.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Du G, Sun M. Aerodynamic effects of corrugation and deformation in flapping wings of hovering hoverflies. Journal of Theoretical Biology, 2012, 300, 19–28.

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  4. Hou D, Yin Y J, Zhong Z, Zhao H X. A new torsion control mechanism induced by blood circulation in dragonfly wings. Bioinspiration & Biomimetic, 2015, 10, 016020.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Borering T M, Lian Y, Henshaw W. Numerical investigation of energy extraction in a tandem flapping wing configuration. AIAA Journal, 2012, 50, 2295–2308.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Borering T M, Lian Y S. The effect of phase angle and wing spacing on tandem flapping wings. Acta Mechanica Sinica, 2012, 28, 1557–1571.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Rival D, Hass G, Tropea C. Recovery of energy from leading- and trailing-edge vortices in tandem-airfoil configurations. Journal of Aircraft, 2011, 48, 203–211.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Kim W K, Ko J H, Park H C, Byun D. Effects of corrugation of the dragonfly wing on gliding performance. Journal of Theoretical Biology, 2009, 206, 523–530.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Meng X G, Sun M. Aerodynamic effects of corrugation in flapping insect wings in forward flight. Journal of Bionic Engineering, 2011, 8, 140–150.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Koehler C, Liang Z X, Gaston Z, Wan H, Dong H B. 3D reconstruction and analysis of wing deformation in free-flying dragonflies. Journal of Experimental Biology, 2012, 215, 3018–3027.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Ren H H, Wang X S, Chen Y L, Li X D. Biomechanical behaviors of dragonfly wing: Relationship between configuration and deformation. Chinese Physics B, 2012, 21, 034501.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Murphy J T, Hu H. An experimental study of a bio-inspired corrugated airfoil for micro air vehicle applications. Experimental Fluids, 2010, 49, 531–546.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Levy D E, Seifert A. Parameter study of simplified dragonfly airfoil geometry at Reynolds number of 6000. Journal of Theoretical Biology, 2010, 266, 691–702.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Appel E, Gorb S N. Resilin-bearing wing vein joints in the dragonfly Epiophlebia superstes. Bioinspiration & Biommimetics, 2011, 6, 046006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Ren H H, Wang X S, Li X D, Chen Y L. Effects of dragonfly wing structure on the dynamic performances. Journal of Bionic Engineering, 2013, 10, 28–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Lian Y S, Broering T, Hord K, Prater R. The characterization of tandem and corrugated wings. Progress in Aerospace Sciences, 2014, 65, 41–69.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Le T Q, Byun D, Saputra P, Ko J H, Park H C, Kim M. Numerical investigation of the aerodynamic characteristics of a hovering Coleopteran insect. Journal of Theoretical Biology, 2010, 266, 485–495.

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  18. Le T Q, Saputra P, Ko J H, Byun D. Morphological effect of a scallop shell on a flapping-type tidal stream generator. Bioinspiration & Biomimetics, 2013, 8, 036009.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Truong T V, Le T Q, Byun D, Park H C, Kim M. Flexible wing kinematics of a free-flying beetle (Rhinoceros beetle trypoxylus dichotomus). Journal of Bionic Engineering, 2012, 9, 177–184.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Le T Q, Truong T V, Tran H T, Park S H, Ko J H, Park H C, Yoon K J, Byun D. Two- and three-dimensional simulations of beetle hind wing flapping during free forward flight. Journal of Bionic Engineering, 2013, 10, 316–328.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Le T Q, Truong T V, Tran H T, Park S H, Ko J H, Park H C, Byun D. How could beetle’s elytra support their own weight during forward flight? Journal of Bionic Engineering, 2014, 11, 529–540.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Walker S M, Thomas A L R, Taylor G K. Photogrammetric reconstruction of high-resolution surface topographies and deformable wing kinematics of tethered locusts and free-flying hoverflies. Journal of the royal society interface, 2009, 6, 351–366.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Young J, Walker S M, Bomphrey R J, Taylor G K, Thomas A L. Details of insect wing design and deformation enhance aerodynamic function and flight efficiency. Science, 2009, 325, 1549–1552.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Henningsson P, Bomphrey R J. Time-varying span efficiency through the wingbeat of desert locusts. Journal of the royal society interface, 2012, 9, 1177–1186.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Dirks J H, Parle E, Taylor D. Fatigue of insect cuticle. The Journal of Experimental Biology, 2013, 216, 1924–1927.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Chan R W, Gabbiani F. Collision-avoidance behaviors of minimally restrained flying locust to looming stimuli. Journal of Experimantal Biology, 2013, 216, 641–655.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Ribak G, Rand D, Weihs D, Ayali A. Role of the wing pronation in evasive steering of locusts. Journal of Comparative Physiology A, 2012, 198, 541–555.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Amwayi P W, Masiga D K, Govender P, Teal P, Torto B. Mass spectral determination of phenylacetonitrile (PAN) levels in body tissues of adult desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria. Journal of Insect Physiology, 2012, 58, 1037–1041.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Guo S, Li D, Wu J. Theoretical and experimental study of a piezoelectric flapping wing rotor for micro aerial vehicle. Aerospace Science and Technology, 2012, 23, 429–438.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Rajabi H, Darvizeh A, Shafiei A, Taylor D, Dirks J H. Numerical investigation of insect wing fracture behavior. Journal of Biomechanics, 2015, 48, 89–94.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Walker S M, Thomas A L, Taylor G K. Deformable wing kinematics in the desert locust: How and why do camber, twist and topography vary through the stroke? Journal of the royal society Interface, 2009, 6, 735–747.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Takizawa K, Henicke B, Puntel A, Kostov N, Tezduyar T E. Computer modeling techniques for flapping-wing aerodynamics of a locust. Computers & Fluids, 2013, 85, 125–134.

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  33. Takizawa K, Tezduyar T E, Kostov N. Sequentially-coupled space-time FSI analysis of bio-inspired flapping-wing aerodynamics of an MAV. Computational Mechanics, 2014, 54, 213–233.

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  34. Simmons P J, Rind F C, Santer R D. Escapes with and without preparation: The neuroethology of visual startle in locusts. Journal of Insect Physiology, 2010, 56, 876–883.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Henningsson P, Hedenstrom A, Bomphrey R J. Efficiency of lift production in flapping and gliding flight of swifts. Plos one, 2014, 9, e90170.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Levy D E, Seifert A. Simplified dragonfly airfoil aerodynamics at Reynolds numbers lower than 8000. The Journal of Physics of Fluid, 2009, 21, 071901.

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Aeronautic Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Beijing, 100191, China

    Jinwu Xiang, Jianxun Du, Daochun Li & Kai Liu

Authors
  1. Jinwu Xiang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jianxun Du
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Daochun Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Kai Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Daochun Li.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Xiang, J., Du, J., Li, D. et al. Aerodynamic performance of the locust wing in gliding mode at low Reynolds number. J Bionic Eng 13, 249–260 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1016/S1672-6529(16)60298-6

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1672-6529(16)60298-6

Keyword

Search

Navigation