One of the secrets of this little beetle’s ability to fly fast is thanks to its strange wing feathers and broad sweep. With the shape of the wings and the strange flapping, the mini insect can fly at the speed of a beetle that is three times as large.
Russian entomologist Alexey Polilov from Lomonosov Moscow State University, examined in more detail the flying prowess of this tiny insect. One way to study the flight of the smallest feather-winged beetle is by using high-speed video and computational simulations.
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“From the recording, it is known that the broad wing stroke combined with the light feathery wings allows the beetle to efficiently propel its body into the air,” the researchers said when reporting online January 19, 2022 on the Nature page.
Some species of feather beetles are very small; two bugs mounted end to end. At such a small size, the air becomes viscous and air friction becomes a serious obstacle to flight.
However, the hairy beetle’s distinct style of flapping its wings overcame the obstacle. The wings form a broad figure-eight pattern, clapping together at the top of the upward stroke to reduce drag and meeting again at the bottom of the downward stroke.
This wide movement gives the beetle extra strength to push the air. Another important factor, the beetle’s wings are not in the form of a membrane layer but in the form of feathers. Due to the friction of air at this small size, the feathers allow the wings to have a stronger flap.
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“Feathered wings are almost as good, as membrane wings, without letting in as much air as a bird’s feathers,” said Polilov.
Video footage of several other feather-wing beetles shows that they have a similar flight style. This discovery provides insight into how insects can maintain good flight ability despite their smaller body size.
(wib)
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