MEASUREMENT OF FLUCTUATING ASYMMETRY IN INSECT WINGS USING IMAGE-ANALYSIS

An image analysis method is described for quantifying fluctuating asym metry of wing characters in horn flies. Calculations of fluctuating as ymmetry are highly vulnerable to measurement error and the image analy sis method provides measurements that are objective, precise, and repe atable. Image analysis can simultaneously measure various size and sha pe parameters of wing characters for quantifying fluctuating asymmetry in horn fly populations. This method is adaptable to a wide variety o f other insect morphological characters. Image analysis is compared wi th ocular measurements from a microscope and the relative merits of th e 2 methods are discussed.