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First published online December 3, 2004
Journal of Experimental Biology 207, 4651-4662 (2004)
Published by The Company of Biologists 2004
doi: 10.1242/jeb.01321

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Submaximal power output from the dorsolongitudinal flight muscles of the hawkmoth Manduca sexta

Michael S. Tu^* and Thomas L. Daniel

Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98195-1800, USA

^* Author for correspondence (e-mail: mstu{at}u.washington.edu)

Accepted 1 October 2004

To assess the extent to which the power output of a synchronous insect flight muscle is maximized during flight, we compared the maximum potential power output of the mesothoracic dorsolongitudinal (dl₁) muscles of Manduca sexta to their power output in vivo. Holding temperature and cycle frequency constant at 36°C and 25 Hz, respectively, we varied the phase of activation, mean length and strain amplitude. Under in vivo conditions measured in tethered flight, the dl₁ muscles generated only 40–67% of their maximum potential power output. Compared to the in vivo phase of activation, the phase that maximized power output was advanced by 12% of the cycle period, and the length that maximized power output was 10% longer than the in vivo operating length.

Key words: flight, muscle, work, power, Manduca sexta

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