A NUMERICAL STUDY OF INSECT FLIGHT

A numerical modeling of insect flight is addressed. Unsteady aerodynam ics around a flapping wing is studied by using a time accurate solutio n of the three-dimensional, incompressible, laminar Navier-Stokes equa tions. A moth's forewing and hindwing are modeled, which can mimic the three-dimensional movements of a realistic napping wing. Validation o f the method is first verified by two extensive numerical tests, which involve comparisons with the experimental and numerical results avail able. Results are then presented for a hawkmoth's wing undergoing hove ring flight and discussed by comparing these with the smoke-visualized flows around a manmade flapper, which validates the computational mod el and demonstrates the feasibility of this numerical approach on anal yzing fluid dynamics phenomena in insect flight. (C) 1998 Academic Pre ss.