Jumping performance of planthoppers (Hemiptera, Issidae)

The present study analyses the anatomy, mechanics and functional morphology of the jumping apparatus, the performance and the kinematics of the natural jump of flea beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini). The kinematic parameters of the initial phase of the jump were calculated for five species from five genera (average values from minimum to maximum): acceleration 0.91-2.25 (×10 ) of the femoro-tibial joint during the jumping movement and the fast full extension of the hind tibia (1-3 ms) suggest that jumping is performed via a catapult mechanism releasing energy that has beforehand been stored in the extensor ligament during its stretching by the extensor muscles. In addition, the morphology of the femoro-tibial joint suggests that the co-contraction of the flexor and the extensor muscles in the femur of the jumping leg is involved in this process.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Jumping mechanisms and performance in beetles. I. Flea beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Alticini)

Nadein

Betz

2016

“…Pygmy mole crickets, spin backwards at rates above 100 Hz, which is suggested to be a mechanism for adding unpredictability to the jumps given that their neighbours are dangerous predators (Burrows and Picker, 2010). In flea beetles the forward spin rates range from 21 to 187 Hz in different species (Brackenbury and Wang, 1995) and in planthoppers are between 40 and 90 Hz (Burrows, 2009a).…”

Section: Two Jumping Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Jumping mechanisms in lacewings (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae and Hemerobiidae)

Burrows

Dorosenko

2014

Self Cite

Lacewings launch themselves into the air by simultaneous propulsive movements of the middle and hind legs as revealed in video images captured at a rate of 1000 s −1 . These movements were powered largely by thoracic trochanteral depressor muscles but did not start from a particular preset position of these legs. Ridges on the lateral sides of the meso-and metathorax fluoresced bright blue when illuminated with ultraviolet light, suggesting the presence of the elastic protein resilin. The middle and hind legs were longer than the front legs but their femora and tibiae were narrow tubes of similar diameter. Jumps were of two types. First, those in which the body was oriented almost parallel to the ground (−7±8 deg in green lacewings, 13.7±7 deg in brown lacewings) at take-off and remained stable once animals were airborne. The wings did not move until 5 ms after take-off when flapping flight ensued. Second, were jumps in which the head pointed downwards at take-off (green lacewings, −37±3 deg; brown lacewings, −35±4 deg) and the body rotated in the pitch plane once airborne without the wings opening. The larger green lacewings (mass 9 mg, body length 10.3 mm) took 15 ms and the smaller brown lacewings (3.6 mg and 5.3 mm) 9 ms to accelerate the body to mean take-off velocities of 0.6 and 0.5 m s −1. During their fastest jumps green and brown lacewings experienced accelerations of 5.5 or 6.3 g, respectively. They required an energy expenditure of 5.6 or 0.7 μJ, a power output of 0.3 or 0.1 mW and exerted a force of 0.6 or 0.2 mN. The required power was well within the maximum active contractile limit of normal muscle, so that jumping could be produced by direct muscle contractions without a power amplification mechanism or an energy store.

“…in these structures, allowing power to be amplified, and is then released suddenly as they unfurl and return to their original shape (Burrows, 2006;Burrows, 2007b;Burrows, 2009). To propel the body forwards, and without losing energy to spin, requires that hind legs both move at the same time.…”

Section: Research Articlementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Jumping mechanisms and performance have been analysed in only two of these families, the Issidae and Dictyopharidae (Burrows, 2009;Burrows, 2014). Issids have a solid body with a squared-off front to the head, whereas dictyopharids are more delicate and have a pointed head that gives a streamlined appearance.…”

Section: Research Articlementioning

confidence: 99%

Jumping mechanisms in flatid planthoppers (Hemiptera, Flatidae)

Burrows

2014

Self Cite

The jumping performance of three species of hemipterans from Australia and Europe belonging to the family Flatidae was analysed from images captured at a rate of 5000 s −1. The shape of a flatid was dominated by large triangular or wedge-shaped front wings, which, when folded, covered and extended above and behind the body to give a laterally compressed and possibly streamlined appearance. The body lengths of the three species of adults ranged from 7 to 9 mm and their mass from 8 to 19 mg. The propulsive hind legs were 30% longer than the front legs but only 36-54% of the body length. Jumps with the fastest take-off velocities of 2.8-3.2 m s −1 had acceleration times of 1.4-1.8 ms. During such jumps, adults experienced an acceleration of 174-200 g. These jumps required an energy expenditure of 76-225 μJ, a power output of 13-60 mW and exerted a force of 9-37 mN. The required power output per mass of jumping muscle in adults ranged from 24,000 to 27,000 W kg −1 muscle, 100 times greater than the maximum active contractile limit of normal muscle. The free-living nymphs were also proficient jumpers, reaching take-off velocities of 2.2 m s −1. To achieve such a jumping performance requires a power amplification mechanism. The energy store for such a mechanism was identified as the internal skeleton linking a hind coxa to the articulation of a hind wing. These pleural arches fluoresced bright blue when illuminated with UV light, indicating the presence of the elastic protein resilin. The energy generated by the prolonged contractions of the trochanteral depressor muscles was stored in distortions of these structures, and the rapid elastic recoil of these muscles powered the synchronous propulsive movements of the hind legs.