A numerical study of insect flight

A numerical modeling of insect flight is addressed. Unsteady aerodynamics around a flapping wing is studied by using a time accurate solution of the three-dimensional, incompressible, laminar Navier-Stokes equations. A moth's forewing and hindwing are modeled, which can mimic the three-dimensional movements of a realistic napping wing. Validation of the method is first verified by two extensive numerical tests, which involve comparisons with the experimental and numerical results available. Results are then presented for a hawkmoth's wing undergoing hovering flight and discussed by comparing these with the smoke-visualized flows around a manmade flapper, which validates the computational model and demonstrates the feasibility of this numerical approach on analyzing fluid dynamics phenomena in insect flight. (C) 1998 Academic Press.