"We often assume that animals are flying in a way that is perfect so they're not wasting any energy," said Douglas Altshuler, a biologist at the University of California, Riverside. "The truth is that animals can behave in so many different ways." Since bees subsist on high-energy nectar, Thomas said, conserving resources might not matter much in some situations, like in a fairly low-stress wind tunnel, where the insects flew at speeds of about 1.5 meters per second. When commuting long distances in the field, on the other hand, bees can cruise at 10 meters per second. In those cases, they might move more efficiently. While those details remain to be investigated, Altshuler said the new study is a significant step forward. "This is really providing us the first glimpses of the flow patterns and aerodynamics of real animals," he said. "And that's really wonderful." The work might also help fulfill one of the military's long-standing goals: To create tiny flying instruments that can maneuver into tight spaces and take pictures. Related Links: |
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