Jumping performance of flea hoppers and other mirid bugs (Hemiptera, Miridae)

Abstract

The order Hemiptera includes jumping insects with the fastest takeoff velocities, all generated by catapult mechanisms. It also contains the large family Miridae or plant bugs. Here, we analysed the jumping strategies and mechanisms of six mirid species from high-speed videos and from the anatomy of their propulsive legs, and conclude that they use a different mechanism in which jumps are powered by the direct contractions of muscles. Three strategies were identified. First, jumping was propelled only by movements of the middle and hind legs, which were, respectively, 140% and 190% longer than the front legs. In three species with masses ranging from 3.4 to 12.2 mg, depression of the coxo-trochanteral and extension of femoro-tibial joints accelerated the body in 8-17 ms to take-off velocities of 0.5-0.8 m s . The middle legs lost ground contact 5-6 ms before take-off so that the hind legs generated the final propulsion. The power requirements could be met by the direct muscle contractions so that catapult mechanisms were not implicated. Second, other species combined the same leg movements with wing beating to generate take-off during a wing downstroke. Third, up to four wingbeat cycles preceded take-off and were not assisted by leg movements. Take-off velocities were reduced and acceleration times lengthened. Other species from the same habitat did not jump. The lower take-off velocities achieved by powering jumping by direct muscle contractions may be offset by eliminating the time taken to load catapult mechanisms.

Effectiveness and efficiency of two distinct mechanisms for take-off in a derbid planthopper insect

“…The energy stored in these structures is then released suddenly to power the rapid movements of the hind legs. Insects using this mechanism are capable of jumping with shorter acceleration times and faster take-off velocities than insects that rely on direct contractions of muscles to power a take-off (see table 3 in Burrows and Dorosenko, 2017a). This mechanism requires specialisations of the powergenerating muscles, of the skeleton to allow distortions that store energy while allowing body shape to recover in time for the next take-off, of mechanisms that release the stored energy and of the nervous system to generate the complex motor patterns that underlie these rapid movements.…”

Take-off mechanisms in parasitoid wasps

“…the last part of the acceleration phase of take-off. In caddis flies (Trichoptera) (Burrows and Dorosenko, 2015b) the middle legs are the last to leave the ground, but in moths (Lepidoptera) (Burrows and Dorosenko, 2015a), lacewings (Neuroptera) (Burrows and Dorosenko, 2014) and mirid bugs (Hemiptera) (Burrows and Dorosenko, 2017) it is the hind legs. In the wasp P. puparum, the middle legs are the last to leave the ground, so it is using the same strategy as caddis flies (Burrows and Dorosenko, 2015b).…”

Energy and time optimal trajectories in exploratory jumps of the spider Phidippus regius

“…Following the classification proposed by Burrows and Dorosenko 31 , we classify jumping insects into two main categories: (1) those expected to employ muscle contraction for jumping, and (2) those thought to employ a catapult mechanism . This is based on the assessment of the muscle specific power for a species and comparing it to the contractile limits of muscle, which ranges between 250 up to 500 W/kg 31 – 35 . Here, we assume that all insects have the same propulsive leg muscle mass to body mass ratio of 10% 31 , 36 – 40 .…”

“…This is based on the assessment of the muscle specific power for a species and comparing it to the contractile limits of muscle, which ranges between 250 up to 500 W/kg 31 – 35 . Here, we assume that all insects have the same propulsive leg muscle mass to body mass ratio of 10% 31 , 36 – 40 . If the majority of species for one insect group lies below the 500 W/kg limit, then they are classified as relying on muscle contraction, otherwise they are considered to use a catapult mechanism.…”