NATURAL FLIGHT OF THE MIGRATORY LOCUST, LOCUSTA-MIGRATORIA L .1. WING MOVEMENTS

1. High-speed film of naturally flying Locusta migratoria was taken in two locations in the Southern Hemisphere. 2. Wing tip movements were traced from the film and revealed considerable variation in shape, both from one animal to another and from one wing beat to the next in the same animal (Figs. 4a, b, 5a, 8a, b). 3. The ratio of upstroke to downstroke is not constant for either pair of wings (Figs. 2, 3 a-f). 4. A wide range of stroke plane angles were recorded for the forewing, but there was no evidence of active control of this variable to suit specific conditions (e.g. climbing) (Figs. 6, 7). 5. Stroke angles of the wings (amplitudes) were also subject to considerable variation and one forewing can travel through a different amplitude to that of the other forewing. 6. Close-up shots of climbing locusts revealed the hindwings performing a 'clap and fling' type stroke (Figs. 8, 9a, b, c). 7. Front and ventral views of flying locusts revealed varying amounts of bending and twisting of the forewings (Figs. 10, 11a, b, 12 a, b). © 1979 Springer-Verlag.