Scaling of Flight Energetics, Mechanics and Muscle Physiology of Synchronous Flying Insects

这项研究将使用三种不同的方法来研究大范围内密切相关的昆虫的电力生产。首先测量这些动物在自由飞行中的代谢率。其次，利用逐帧分析的动物飞行视频，结合空气动力学理论计算出机械动力需求；第三，将使用标准生理学技术直接检查同一物种的肌肉，以测量其最大力量生产。将在电子显微镜下检查肌肉，以确定产生力量的成分（肌原纤维）和有氧能量的产生（线粒体）的大小。所有这些成分都将在几个月的大尺寸范围内确定，以检查尺寸变化在肌肉功能中的作用。

This study will examine the power production of closely related insects over a wide size range using three different approaches. First the metabolic rate will be measured for these animals in free flight. Second, using video of the animals in flight analyzed frame by frame and aerodynamic theory the mechanical power requirements can be calculated. Third, the muscle of the same species will be examined directly to measure their maximal force production using standard physiological techniques. The muscles will be examined under electronmicroscopy to determine the magnitude of force producing components (myofibrils) and aerobic energy production (mitochondria). All these components will be determined over a wide size range of moths to examine the role of size change in muscle function.