Meeting Abstract

S10.2-4  Tuesday, Jan. 7 11:08  Insect Flight on a Fluid Interfaces and Chaotic Oscillators PRAKASH, M*; MUKUNDARAJAN, H; Stanford University; Stanford University manup@stanford.edu

Here we present the discovery of a novel mode of interfacial “2D flight” in water lily beetles (Galerucella nymphaeae), that are capable of multiple modes of flapping-wing locomotion along a fluid interface, as well as fully-fledged airborne flight. 2D flight is characterized by a novel set of physical constraints because of it’s coupling to a fluid interface (say, surface of a pond) and the role of of capillary-gravity wave trains behind the moving insect. Here, we analyze the kinematics of 2D flight, highlight key differences in this unique mode of flight and develop a dynamic model to explain flight characteristics. Finally, we present an analysis of the vertical oscillations in the flight trajectory due to the non-linear forced oscillator created by vertical wing lift and surface tension. Utilizing this technique, we further outline a method for tether-free measurement of flight forces in insects.