Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Johansson LC
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3834544 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Nov
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Johansson L Christoffer LC Engel Sophia S Kelber Almut A Heerenbrink Marco Klein MK Hedenström Anders A
Scientific reports 20131120
The Leading Edge Vortex (LEV) is a universal mechanism enhancing lift in flying organisms. LEVs, generally illustrated as a single vortex attached to the wing throughout the downstroke, have not been studied quantitatively in freely flying insects. Previous findings are either qualitative or from flappers and tethered insects. We measure the flow above the wing of freely flying hawkmoths and find multiple simultaneous LEVs of varying strength and structure along the wingspan. At the inner wing t ...[more]