Summary
-
1.
A flight balance is described which provides freedom for the flying locust to roll, yaw and move laterally (Fig. 1).
-
2.
High-speed film taken from various angles of locusts manoeuvering in radial and laminar wind tunnels reveals considerable variations in phase, amplitude and pronation, particularly in the forewings, but forewing pronation is the only variable that can be reliably correlated with turning.
-
3.
Flying locusts stimulated by a light lateral to their flight direction make a banked turn towards the light (Fig. 11).
-
4.
Wing, leg and abdomen movements producing these banked turns are identical to those causing attempted yaw turns, and hence roll and yaw are produced by the same wing and body motions. The animal has no way of isolating yaw and roll components.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Baker, P.S.: Flying locust visual responses in a radial wind tunnel. J. Comp. Physiol.131, 39–47 (1979a)
Baker, P.S.: The role of forewing muscles in the control of direction in flying locusts. J. Comp. Physiol.131, 59–66 (1979b)
Camhi, J.M.: Yaw correcting postural changes in locusts. J. Exp. Biol.52, 519–531 (1970)
Dugard, J.J.: Directional change in flying locusts. J. Insect Physiol.13, 1055–1063 (1967)
Goodman, L.J.: The role of certain optomotor reactions in regulating stability in the rolling plane. J. Exp. Biol.42, 385–407 (1965)
Jensen, M.: The aerodynamics of locust flight. Phil. Trans. R. Soc.239, 511–552 (1956)
Möhl, B., Zarnack, W.: Activity of the direct downstroke muscles ofLocusta migratoria during steering behaviour in flight. II. J. Comp. Physiol.118, 235–247 (1977)
Nachtigall, W.: Die Kinematik der Schlagflügelbewegungen von Dipteren. Methodische und analytische Grundlagen zur Biophysik des Insektenflugs. Z. vergl. Physiol.52, 155–211 (1966)
Waldron, I.: Neural mechanisms by which controlling inputs influence motor output. J. Exp. Biol.47, 213–228 (1967)
Wilson, D.M.: Inherent asymmetry and reflex modulation of the locust flight motor pattern. J. Exp. Biol.48, 631–641 (1968)
Wilson, D.M., Weis-Fogh, T.: Patterned activity of coordinated motor units studied in flying locusts. J. Exp. Biol.39, 643–667 (1962)
Zarnack, W.: Flugbiophysik der Wanderheuschrecke (Locusta migratoria). I. Die Bewegungen der Vorderflügel. J.Comp.Physiol.78, 356–395 (1972)
Zarnack, W., Möhl, B.: Activity of the direct downstroke flight muscles ofLocusta migratoria during steering behaviour in flight. I. Patterns of time shift. J.Comp. Physiol.118, 215–233 (1977)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
I thank Drs R.J. Chapman, R.J. Cooter and L.J. Goodman for much support and criticism during this work, and Prof. M. Gewecke and Dr P.L. Miller for many helpful comments on the manusrcipt.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Baker, P.S. The wing movements of flying locusts during steering behaviour. J. Comp. Physiol. 131, 49–58 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00613083
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00613083