Is the ‘Click’ Mechanism of Dipteran Flight an Artefact of CC14 Anaesthesia?

Abstract

A frame-by-frame analysis of the wing movements of a fly shows characteristics which are incompatible with the accepted model for dipteran flight. Higher amplitude wing beats result in greater velocities on the upstroke. Detailed examination of the wing base articulation has uncovered a wing stop and DVM stretch mechanism. It is argued that there is elastic energy storage during the downstroke which is released on the upstroke. A novel mechanical model for wing movements is proposed which incorporates all the new findings and argues against a ‘click’ mechanism.