Experimental and Numerical Study on Flapping Wing Kinematics and Aerodynamics of Coleoptera

Abstract

In this study we have experimentally and numerically analyzed the flapping mechanism and wing kinematics of coleoptera (Propylea japonica Thunberg). Using digital high speed camera, we captured the continuous wing kinematics and visualized the flight motion of the free-flying coleoptera. The experimental visualization shows that the elytra flapped concurrently with the main wing both in the downstroke and upstroke motions. In order to define the wing kinematics of coleoptera, the displacement of a wing cross section (50% span-wise) was measured for each sequence of the wing motion. Using these data, the flight motion of coleoptera was numerically simulated to investigate the aerodynamic performance. The computational aerodynamic simulation shows that leading edge vortex shedding plays a key role in generating lift to keep the insect aloft.