Insects fly in a sea of vortexes they create by moving their wings. A vortex is a current of swirling air that moves against the main current of air. Wang has developed a new mathematical theory that explains how some insects can manipulate the flow of air around them, allowing them to switch from forward motion to a hovering position instantly. The study appears in the journal Physical Review Letters . Airplanes also create vortexes, but they are only minor nuisances that are left behind in a slipstream.
Vortexes created by insects rapidly flapping their wings whip the air into a frenzy.
Insects coordinate their wing movements to generate lift force and shed vortexes from the edge of their wings. To demonstrate this process, Wang developed a computer simulation that divides the airflow around the wing into a grid. She then calculated the flow of air at each point on the grid. The patterns that emerged provided some insight into how an insect coordinates its wing movements to create the vortexes it uses to hover. Wang's computer modeling may lead to the development of tiny flying machines that could be used for aerial surveillance and other tasks.