WING MOVEMENTS IN THE BUSH-CRICKET TETTIGONIA-VIRIDISSIMA AND THE MANTIS AMELES-SPALLANZIANA DURING NATURAL LEAPING

The movements of the wings during natural jumps made by Tettigonia viridissima and Ameles spallanziana were analysed by means of high‐speed flash photography. Additional data were obtained from the bush‐cricket Oecanthus pellucens. In all cases the wings were usually extended before the hind tarsi had left the ground. In most jumps the first downstroke of the wings was completed before take‐off and the wings probably contributed directly to initial propulsion. All species showed a ‘peel’ variation of the ‘clap and fling’ mechanism in the hind wing downstroke. There was evidence of strong ventral flexure in the forewing at the start of the upstroke in Tettigonia. The implications of the use of the wings in the energetics of jumping are discussed. Copyright © 1990, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved