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The Biomechanics of Insect
Flight:
Form, Function, Evolution
Robert Dudley
Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ
2002
Price: $47.50 (Paperback)
ISBN: 0-691-09491-8
The title of the
book, The Biomechanics of Insect Flight, does not do justice to the range
and significance of this work, which also touches on insect evolution, behavior,
and ecology. Dudley reveals the extent to which insect flight, and an
understanding of the biomechanics involved, can contribute to an understanding
of the pressures, constraints, and success of the taxon.
The symbols list
gives a bit of a warning of things to come: with 66 symbols, 18 in Greek, and 9
terms for power, the reader will be made aware that the subject area requires a
fair degree of focus. In certain sections, simply dipping into a page without
battling through the build-up could be distressing. This is not to diminish
Dudley’s work: some of the subject areas, if they are to be dealt with at
anything more than the most superficial level, require complex terminology and
detailed development. But a few more sketches in future editions might help the
skimming reader pick up the basic concepts with much less pain.
The bulk of the
book can be considered in four parts: the basic, the technical, the biological,
and the references. The basics cover appropriate principles in fluid mechanics
and morphology. The technical ranges from more detailed aerodynamics to
physiology, stability, and maneuverability. The biological—to the casual reader,
the most immediately interesting section—covers the evolution of flight,
flightlessness, and diversification.
The section on
basic aerodynamics is necessary, but will probably not serve as an introductory
text to fluid dynamics. Although all the facts may be correct, and the ideas
certainly need to be covered, it would be an impressive undergraduate who
managed to pick up all the required concepts from a quick reading of this
section. However, Dudley does give references that will allow the reader to
start with a simpler presentation of the basic ideas (personally, I find Steven
Vogel’s Life in Moving Fluids a sympathetic place to begin).
Beyond the idea
that kinematics, aerodynamics, stability, and maneuverability are important
concerns to the biology of insects, there is no getting away from the fact that
they are downright difficult topics. Even describing something as simple as the
position, direction, and orientation of a wing requires a bewildering array of
terminology. But again, that is an issue with the field: Dudley provides a way
of finding and showing the application of such terminology. Not great fun for a
bedtime read, but a valuable scientific reference.
If this book is to
be used as a bedtime read, then the chapters closer to insect biology provide
the best material. For the reader with good degree-level biology (or an
outstanding memory for the previous chapters), these chapters cover important
and fascinating concepts, giving an insight into many aspects of insect biology.
One of my favorites is the importance and implications of miniaturization. For
instance, there is the observation that “the majority of the world’s insect
fauna must...always fly within 1–2 m from the ground or within vegetational
canopies if intentionally directed flight is to be attained.” So, many insects
are about as direction-controlled as a hot air balloon, selecting appropriate
times to take off, largely travelling on ambient winds at selected heights, and
determining when to land. Thus, the biomechanics of insect flight ranges from
horrifying complexity down to utter simplicity.
Dudley is able to
describe where the field resides today, and, throughout, imparts his enthusiasm
to the reader and encourages more work on the mysteries that certainly remain
about insect flight. A final section emphasises the fact that our knowledge on
the biomechanics of insect flight remains sparse. Although this could be viewed
as depressing, it should actually be viewed as inspirational. There is so much
more to learn, both within the lab and, to an even greater extent, in the field
or rain forest.
What makes this
book exceptional is the fact that it links the historical and international work
with the modern age of online searches and prevalence of English as the language
of science. Only with such a book will appropriate reference be made to the
founding scientists in the field; few research scientists could invest
sufficient time (or pull in sufficient favors) to similarly assimilate previous
work, or build the reference list as provided by this book. Indeed, the
reference list makes up almost a quarter of the book.
So, to conclude,
this book is an outstanding contribution to science that will represent a
milestone in the literature of insect flight biomechanics. It is definitely
worth having on your bookshelf, not least because of a very impressive paperback
price, and will often be off the bookshelf and propped open next to your
computer if you ever have the good fortune to work near this field.
James R. Usherwood
Structure and Motion Lab.
The Royal Veterinary College
The University of London, North Mymms, UK
American Entomologist
Vol. 51, No.4, Winter 2005
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