Aerodynamic Characteristics of Bristled Wings in Flapping Flight

This study focuses on the aerodynamics of the smallest flying insects' bristled wings. We measured and analyzed wing morphological data from 38 specimens of Mymaridae. Bristled wing flight was numerically simulated at Reynolds numbers from 1 to 80. The aerodynamic force, power, and efficiency of bristled wings using lift-based stroke, drag-based stroke, and clap-and-fling mechanism were evaluated. An unusual clap-and-fling pattern considering bristle crossing was first proposed. Our study shows that with a reduction in the wingspan of Mymaridae, the proportion of the wingtip bristled area increases. A lift-based stroke is superior to a drag-based stroke in terms of vertical force production and aerodynamic efficiency at 5 <= Re <= 20. Bristled wings employing the clap-and-fling mechanism achieve both vertical force and efficiency augmentation, while bristle crossing incurs a substantial horizontal force and contributes little to vertical force augmentation.

Automated summary

This study focuses on the aerodynamics of the bristled wings of the smallest flying insects. The research shows that as the wingspan of the insects decreases, the proportion of bristle area at the wingtip increases. Lift-based stroke is more effective than drag-based stroke in generating vertical force and aerodynamic efficiency. Bristled wings using the clap-and-fling mechanism can enhance both vertical force and efficiency, but bristle crossing mainly contributes to horizontal force and has little effect on vertical force augmentation.