Question

how insects can fly ?

Answer 1

they have wings and they are light weighed....that why they can fly to small heights.

Answer 2

A tau emerald (Hemicordulia tau) dragonfly has flight mu

1Mechanisms1.1Direct flight1.2Indirect flight1.3Aerodynamics1.3.1Leading edge vortex1.3.2Clap and fling1.3.3Governing equations1.4Hovering1.4.1Power input1.4.2Power output1.5Elasticity1.6Wing coupling1.7Biochemistry2Evolution and adaptation2.1Paranotal hypothesis2.2Epicoxal hypothesis2.

Mechanisms[e

Direct flight: muscles attached to wings. Large insects on

The Odonata (like this Australian emperor dragonfly) have direct flight musculatur

Unlike other insects, the wing muscles of the Ephemeroptera (Mayflies) and Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) insert directly at the wing bases, which are hinged so that a small movement of the wing base downward, lifts the wing itself upward, very much like rowing through the air. Dragonflies and damselflies have fore and hind wings similar in shape and size. Each operates independently, which gives a degree of fine control and mobility in terms of the abruptness with which they can change direction and speed, not seen in other flying insects. This is not surprising, given that odonates are all aerial predators, and they

Indirect flight: muscles make thorax oscillate in most insec

The Neoptera, including butterfliesand most other insects, have indirect flight musculature.

Other than the two orders with direct flight muscles, all other living winged insects fly using a different mechanism, involving indirect flight muscles. This mechanism evolved once, and is the defining feature (synapomorphy) for the infraclass Neoptera; it corresponds, probably not coincidentally, with the appearance of a wing-folding mechanism, which allows Neopteran insects to fold the wings back over the abdomen when at rest (though this ability has been lost secondarily in some groups, such as in the butterflies).[1]

In the higher groups with two functional pairs of wings, both pairs are linked together mechanically in various ways, and function as a single wing, although this is not true in the more primitive groups. There are also exceptions to be found among the more advanced Neoptera; the ghost mothis able to unlock its pair of wings and move them independently, allowing them to hover like dragonflies.[2] What all Neoptera share, however, is the way the muscles in the thorax work: these muscles, rather than attaching to the wings, attach to the thorax and deform it; since the wings are extensions of the thoracic exoskeleton, the deformations of the thorax cause the wings to move as well. A set of dorsal longitudinal muscles compress the thorax from front to back, causing the dorsal surface of the thorax (notum) to bow upward, making the wings flip down. A set of tergosternal muscles pull the notum downward again, causing the wings to flip upward. [1][3] In a few groups, the downstroke is accomplished solely through the elastic recoil of the thorax when the tergosternal muscles are relaxed. Several small sclerites at the wing base have other, separate, muscles attached and these are used for fine control of the wing base in such a way as to allow various adjustments in the tilt and amplitude of the wing beats. One of the final refinements that has appeared in some of the higher Neoptera (Coleoptera, Diptera, and Hymenoptera) is a type of muscular or neural control system whereby a single nerve impulse causes a muscle fiber to contract multiple times; this allows the frequency of wing beats to exceed the rate at which the nervous system can send impulses. This specialized form of muscle is termed asynchronous muscle. The overall effect is that many higher Neoptera can beat their wings much faster than insects with direct flight muscles.[1]

Aerodynamics[edit]

Further information: Aerodynamics

There are two basic aerodynamic models of insect flight: creating a leading edge vortex, and using clap and fling.[4][5]

Leading edge vortex[edit]

Most insects use a method that creates a spiralling leading edge vortex. These flapping wings move through two basic half-strokes. The downstroke starts up and back and is plunged downward and forward. Then the wing is quickly flipped over (supination) so that the leading edge is pointed backward. The upstroke then pushes the wing upward and backward. Then the wing is flipped again (pronation) and another downstroke can occur. The frequency range in insects with synchronous flight muscles typically is 5 to 200 hertz (Hz). In those with asynchronous flight muscles, wing beat frequency may exceed 1000 Hz. When the insect

Abhishek