Abstract
The shape and function of insect wings tremendously vary between insect species. This review is engaged in how wing design determines the aerodynamic mechanisms with which wings produce an air momentum for body weight support and flight control. We work out the tradeoffs associated with aerodynamic key parameters such as vortex development and lift production, and link the various components of wing structure to flight power requirements and propulsion efficiency. A comparison between rectangular, ideal-shaped and natural-shaped wings shows the benefits and detriments of various wing shapes for gliding and flapping flight. The review expands on the function of three-dimensional wing structure, on the specific role of wing corrugation for vortex trapping and lift enhancement, and on the aerodynamic significance of wing flexibility for flight and body posture control. The presented comparison is mainly concerned with wings of flies because these animals serve as model systems for both sensorimotor integration and aerial propulsion in several areas of biology and engineering.
Highlights
IntroductionThree-dimensional structures that are under selective pressures towards functional optima
Insect wings are complex, three-dimensional structures that are under selective pressures towards functional optima
The air flows generated for flight mainly depend on wing kinematics, the wing’s overall planform, and the dynamics of elastic deformation owing to inertial and aerodynamic loading
Summary
Three-dimensional structures that are under selective pressures towards functional optima. Throughout the past decades, several technical developments, such as high-resolution micro-computed tomography (μCT), have helped to better understand the various aspects of wing morphology for structural integrity [27,52], while robotic and numerical studies on insect flight have highlighted the aerodynamic significance of three-dimensional wing design [53,54,55,56,57]. We work out the significance and tradeoffs of wing design for aerodynamic key parameters such as vortex development and lift production This is achieved by disassembling the wing’s various properties and linking the components in wing structure to aerodynamics, power consumption and flight efficiency. A recent numerical study, for example, showed that the three-dimensional shape of rigid fly wings attenuates both lift production and aerodynamic efficiency rather than enhancing these measures compared to a flat wing [83]. Elastic wings share similar fluid dynamic properties with rigid wing, an animal must cope with the dynamically changing conditions because these changes may attenuate the ability and precision of flight and body posture control
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
