Study identifies pheromone detection mechanisms in silkworm moths (IMAGE)

Chiba University

Study identifies pheromone detection mechanisms in silkworm moths

Caption

Particle guidance by the flapping of flightless silkworm moths was quantified by computational fluid dynamic analyses. (a) The flapping silkworm moths were filmed by two high-speed cameras (1,000 fps) to reconstruct (b) the wing kinematics. (c) The flow field around the silkworm moth was simulated by computational fluid dynamic analyses. The typical flow pattern of flying insects, such as leading-edge vortex, was confirmed. (d, e) Based on the flow pattern, the motion of particles that resemble the pheromone molecule has been simulated. The majority of particles reach the antennae from within 60° of the front of the silkworm moth.

Credit

Toshiyuki Nakata from Chiba University

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License

CC BY

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