Visualization of Insect Flapping Flight

― Kinematics, Aerodynamics and Energetics ―

Abstract

Insect can generate lift force in response to the momentum transfer to the surrounding air by flapping their wings in order to maneuver in three-dimensional space. Their stable flight is the key of the successful survival of insects in the nature. In order to develop bio-inspired unmanned aerial system that is able to perform various missions, we need to understand and emulate the mechanism of the insect flight. The visualization of insect flight is difficult because they are small and fast, but is the first step to understand the mechanism. In this review, recent developments in the visualization of insect flight and the findings by such new technology are introduced with some specific examples, especially focusing on 1) the kinematics of flapping wing, 2) the wake visualization with particle image velocimetry and 3) near-field flow, force and power by computational fluid dynamics simulation.