J024021 Hydrodynamics of Water-jumping Insect

Abstract

This paper concerned with the relationship between the body structure and the locomotive functions of springtail. The jumping movements of springtails from the inside of the bubble at the air-water interface were analyzed from high-speed sequences of images captured at rate of 4500 frames per second. The results of an experiment aimed at elucidating the jumping mechanisms of water-floating springtails are described. The variation of vertical velocity during the springtail jump was analyzed. The microscopic structure of body was also clarified by a laser scanning microscope. The effect of drag reduction during the movements of springtail in the air was discussed with the analysis of jumping motion from the view point of hydrodynamics and microscopic observation of the structure on the body surface.