NATURAL FLIGHT OF THE MIGRATORY LOCUST, LOCUSTA-MIGRATORIA L .2. GLIDING

1. High speed film of naturally flying Locusta migratoria has revealed gliding in these animals. 2. Glides last from a few milliseconds up to about one third of a second. 3. The glide always starts when the forewings reach the top of their stroke; the hindwings stop at the same instant although they have already started their downstroke. 4. The basic wing positions during the glide are described. 5. A lift drag ratio of 1.7:1 has been calculated, and a minimum sinking rate of just over 2 m/s has been measured. 6. Glides commence with a positive body angle of up to 30° but this is rapidly reduced during the glide as the animal pitches forward. 7. Glides tend to end when the animal is diving, i.e. with a negative body angle. 8. The end of a glide is heralded by the hindwings moving downwards, followed by the forewings. Body angles are restored to a positive value very quickly after the end of a glide. © 1979 Springer-Verlag.