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