The typical flight performance of blowflies: measuring the normal performance envelope of Calliphora vicina using a novel corner-cube arena.

PloS One
Richard J BomphreyGraham K Taylor

Abstract

Despite a wealth of evidence demonstrating extraordinary maximal performance, little is known about the routine flight performance of insects. We present a set of techniques for benchmarking performance characteristics of insects in free flight, demonstrated using a model species, and comment on the significance of the performance observed. Free-flying blowflies (Calliphora vicina) were filmed inside a novel mirrored arena comprising a large (1.6 m1.6 m1.6 m) corner-cube reflector using a single high-speed digital video camera (250 or 500 fps). This arrangement permitted accurate reconstruction of the flies' 3-dimensional trajectories without the need for synchronisation hardware, by virtue of the multiple reflections of a subject within the arena. Image sequences were analysed using custom-written automated tracking software, and processed using a self-calibrating bundle adjustment procedure to determine the subject's instantaneous 3-dimensional position. We illustrate our method by using these trajectory data to benchmark the routine flight performance envelope of our flies. Flight speeds were most commonly observed between 1.2 ms(-1) and 2.3 ms(-1), with a maximum of 2.5 ms(-1). Our flies tended to dive faster than they clim...Continue Reading

References

May 26, 1999·Vision Research·J J Clark
Mar 9, 2000·Journal of Comparative Physiology. A, Sensory, Neural, and Behavioral Physiology·R M OlbergK R Venator
Sep 1, 2000·Journal of Neuroscience Methods·S N FryD Robert
Jan 18, 2003·Paediatric Respiratory Reviews·P Aurora, I M Lynn
Jul 9, 2003·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Graham K Taylor, Adrian L R Thomas
Dec 12, 2003·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·J R RileyR Menzel
Apr 29, 2005·The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience·J H van HaterenM Egelhaaf
Dec 6, 2005·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Andrew C MasonMichael L Oshinsky

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Apr 3, 2012·The Review of Scientific Instruments·Jun SakakibaraNaoyuki Osato
Jul 16, 2010·Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·Andrew D StrawMichael H Dickinson
Mar 2, 2016·Nature Communications·Robert P RayRichard J Bomphrey
Aug 17, 2016·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Richard J BomphreyHuai-Ti Lin
May 11, 2012·Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·Christian KlopschFriedrich G Barth
Nov 24, 2016·Journal of Comparative Physiology. A, Neuroethology, Sensory, Neural, and Behavioral Physiology·Nanina Tron, Reinhard Lakes-Harlan
Oct 14, 2017·Bioinspiration & Biomimetics·Chong Shen, Mao Sun
Jun 16, 2018·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Robert I Holbrook, Beth Mortimer
Oct 24, 2018·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Thomas R Neil, Graham N Askew
Dec 24, 2018·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Shih-Jung HsuBo Cheng
Aug 15, 2019·Bioinspiration & Biomimetics·Jiaqi V HuangHolger G Krapp
Nov 18, 2018·Scientific Reports·Mandiyam Y Mahadeeswara, Mandyam V Srinivasan
May 7, 2020·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Shih-Jung Hsu, Bo Cheng
Nov 29, 2020·Scientific Reports·Leandre VarennesStephane Viollet
Aug 10, 2021·Journal of Insect Physiology·Larissa Komo, Damien Charabidze
Oct 24, 2017·Current Biology : CB·Kit D LongdenHolger G Krapp

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Methods Mentioned

BETA
pull-down

Software Mentioned

Matlab

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.