Kinematic analysis of maiden flight of Odonata

Abstract

The maiden flight of five species of Odonata of different families was filmed by slow motion up to 500 f/s and analysed frame by frame. The aim of this study was to find out if the maiden flight differs among various species as well as between tenerals and adults within the same species with respect to wing beat frequency, phase-relationship between fore- and hind wings, flight speed and acceleration. All the values of the flight parameters were much lower in maiden flight than in the flight of adults. The possible reasons for the weakness of the maiden flight are discussed. © 2010 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.