很多四翅目昆虫的前后翅通过连锁器连接成为耦合翅，实现高频率同步振翅，使得该连锁器对昆虫飞行具有十分重要作用。以夜蛾连锁器为代表的翅缰-翅缰钩耦合型连锁机制及其对飞行的影响目前尚不清楚，针对该问题，本项目拟：（1）运用结构与材料可视化手段，揭示夜蛾连锁器的宏微观结构和材料骨化分布等功能形态学特征。（2）搭建连锁器解耦强度测量系统，利用纳米压痕和微摩擦实验方法，获得连锁器的局部材料特性和摩擦性能；构建有限元模型，获取结构特征和材料性能分布对连锁器变形行为和摩擦性能的影响，揭示夜蛾连锁器在高频振翅运动中保持稳定连锁和减摩止损的连锁耦合机制。（3）搭建三维高速拍摄系统，建立连锁器切除前和切除后夜蛾在固定飞行和自由飞行条件下前后翅的振翅运动方程，计算和对比夜蛾在不同工况下的气动特性变化，揭示连锁器对夜蛾扑翼飞行的影响规律和意义。本项目为深入理解昆虫的翅翼功能和飞行能力提供重要指导。

The fore- and hindwing of many four-winged insects are coupled by utilizing the wing coupling structure to synchronize their high-frequency flapping motion, playing an important role on insect flight. However, as a representative of the frenulum-retinaculum wing coupling, the coupling mechanism of the moth coupling structure and its influence on moth flight are unknown. In this project, (1) structure- and material-characterization methods will be utilized to investigate the functional morphology of the wing coupling including its macro-to-micro structure and cuticle-sclerotization distribution. (2) The local material properties and tribological properties of the wing coupling will be characterized using a customized measuring system for decoupling force, a nanoindentor and a nanotribometer. Based on the experimental results and through the finite element analysis, the influence of the structural characteristics and local-material-property distribution on the mechanical behaviors and tribological properties of the wing coupling will be obtained, so as to reveal how the wing coupling structure to keep a stable coupling and to decrease the friction and abrasion during the high-frequency wing flapping motion. (3) Through developing a 3D high-speed videorecording system, the flapping motion of the fore- and hindwing of the moth with/without the wing coupling during tethered and free flight will be captured. On the basis of the wing flapping motion, the aerodynamic performance of the moth in different working conditions will be calculated and compared, in order to uncover the impact and significance of the coupling on the moth flight. Our project aims to further shed light on the wing functionality and flight capability of the insect.