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Journal of Experimental Biology 116,313-322 (1985)
Published by Company of Biologists 1985

Is the ‘Click’ Mechanism of Dipteran Flight an Artefact of CC1₄ Anaesthesia?

JALEEL A. MIYAN ¹ and ARTHUR W. EWING ²

¹ Department of Zoology, University of EdinburghWest Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JT, Scotland; Department of Zoology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, England
² Department of Zoology, University of EdinburghWest Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JT, Scotland

1. A frame-by-frame analysis of the wing movements of a fly shows characteristics which are incompatible with the accepted model for dipteran flight.

2. Higher amplitude wing beats result in greater velocities on the upstroke.

3. Detailed examination of the wing base articulation has uncovered a wing stop and DVM stretch mechanism.

4. It is argued that there is elastic energy storage during the downstroke which is released on the upstroke.

5. A novel mechanical model for wing movements is proposed which incorporates all the new findings and argues against a ‘click’ mechanism.

Key words: Diptera, flight, mechanism

Accepted on September 18, 1984