Meeting Abstract
Insect wing venation patterns are highly diverse, with some wings partitioned into just a few “domains” (vein-bounded regions) and others into many thousands. To characterize the spectrum of insect wing patterns and compare venation and topologies across insect orders, we created quantitative tools to explore wing geometries. We amassed an unprecedented dataset of scanned insect wings and segmented these wings into features of size, shape, and structure. We analyzed simple morphospaces to compare wings of relatively “dense” and “sparse” venation (e.g. dragonfly versus fruitfly, respectively). Further, to investigate an important function of venation patterning and potential driver in wing diversification, we investigated circulation patterns of hemolymph flow within the wings. Insect wings are dynamic living structures composed of networks of stiff tubular veins, which act as conduits that supply hemolymph to veins containing tracheae and nerves. In addition, sensory hairs and mechanosenosors require a continuous supply of hemolymph. With focus on an insect with complex venation (Schistocerca americana, the North American Grasshopper), we quantified hemolymph flow dynamics within adult fore- and hind- wings and determined hemodynamic relationships to accessory pulsatile organs such as wing hearts.This talk will highlight the diversity and multifunctionality of insect wings, and reflect on their development, function, and form, all of which play a role in the phylogenetic and functional diversity of insect wings.
