14

N. Chari and P. Srinivas

1.

1934–1955: Covering early experimental investigations.

2.

1956–1984: Covering flight techniques, morpho-functional correlations, review

of wingbeat frequency, vortex theory and wing kinematics have been considered

and a brief account of lift-enhancing mechanisms has been outlined.

3.

1985–2008: Aerodynamic parameters and power requirements of a few insects

have been discussed. Sane [54] reviewed the detailed study of the aerodynamics

of flight. Shyy et al. [55] discussed progress in aerodynamics and aeroelasticity

at low Re.

4.

Recently, many authors have considered simplified insect-sized models for the

design of MAVs. Very recently, some interesting suggestions have been made by

Ho et al. [51], Sibilski et al. [52] and Curet et al. [53]. This review clearly shows

that within the next few decades, we may be able to design Insect Bio-mimicking

MAVs.

Though this chapter is limited to the bio-aerodynamic aspects, it gives relatively a

brief and clear idea for an engineer to follow and understand the relative importance

and role of each physical and biological descriptive (qualitative) aspect which gives

inspiration for the design of bio-mimicking vehicles.

References

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2. Chadwick, L. E. (1939). Some factors which affect the rate of movement of the wings in

Drosophila. Physiological Zoology, 12(2), 151–160.

3. Pringle, J. W. S. (1957). Insect flight. Cambridge University Press.

4. Osborne, M. F. M. (1951). Aerodynamics of flapping flight with application to insects. Journal

of Experimental Biology, 28(2), 221–245.

5. Roeder, K. D. (1951). Orthopteran flight. Biology Bulletin (Woods Hole), 100, 95–106

6. Sotavalta, O. (1952). The essential factors regulating the wing-stroke frequency of insects in

wing mutilation and wing loading experiments at Sub-atmospheric pressure. Annalea Zoologici

Societatis Vanamo, 15, 1–67.

7. Chadwick, L. E. (1953). Aerodynamics and flight metabolism. In K. D. Roeder (Ed.), Insect

physiology. New York: John Wiley.

8. Sotavalta, O. (1953). Recordings of high wing-stroke and thoracic vibration frequency in some

midges. Biological Bulletin, 439–444.

9. Sotavalta, O. (1954). On the fuel consumption of the honey bee (Apismellifica L.). In flight

experiments. Annales Zoologicae Societatis Zoologicae-Botanicae Fennvanamo, 16, 1–27.

10. Weis-Fogh, T., & Jensen, M. (1956). Biology and physics of locust flight. I. basic principles in

insect flight. a critical review. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological

Sciences, 239(667), 415–458.

11. Greenwalt, C. H. (1960). The wings of insects and birds as mechanical oscillators. Proceedings

American Philosophical Society, 104, 605.

12. Sotavalta, O. (1963). The flight sounds of insects. Acoustic Behavior of Animals, 374–389.

13. Anderson, S. O., & Weis-Fogh. (1964). ‘Resilin’ in advances in insect.

14. Chari (2014). Bio-aerodynamics of Avian Flight. Banglore, India: NDRF.

15. Bennett, L. (1966). Insect aerodynamics:Vertical sustaining force in near-hovering flight.

Science, 152, 1263–1266.