Measurement of fluctuating asymmetry in insect wings using image analysis

Abstract

An image analysis method is described for quantifying fluctuating asymmetry of wing characters in horn flies. Calculations of fluctuating asymmetry are highly vulnerable to measurement error and the image analysis method provides measurements that are objective, precise, and repeatable. Image analysis can simultaneously measure various size and shape parameters of wing characters for quantifying fluctuating asymmetry in horn fly populations. This method is adaptable to a wide variety of other insect morphological characters. Image analysis is compared with ocular measurements from a microscope and the relative merits of the 2 methods are discussed.