Relationship of Wing Beat Frequency and Temperature During Take-Off Flight in Temperate-Zone Beetles

Abstract

In 24 species of temperate-zone beetles thoracic temperatures (Tth), and wing beat frequency (n) were measured over a range of ambient temperatures (Ta) during take-off flight. The sensitivity of wing beat frequency to thoracic temperature varied greatly in different species: Q10 values ranged from 0·8 to 1·3. The wing beat frequency of beetles with higher average n was more sensitive to thoracic temperature. It is suggested that the temperature sensitivity of wing beat frequency results from temperature-dependent changes in the resonant properties of the beetle flight system rather than from changes in the temperature sensitivity of the muscle or nervous system.There was large variability in thermoregulatory precision. Beetles with higher n tended to thermoregulate more precisely than beetles with lower n. Measurements of thoracic temperature before and after flight indicated endothermic heat production during pre-flight activity, but not during the brief take-off flights.