The natural flight of the migratory locust,Locusta migratoria L.

Summary1.High speed film of naturally flyingLocusta migratoria has revealed gliding in these animals.2.Glides last from a few milliseconds up to about one third of a second.3.The glide always starts when the forewings reach the top of their stroke; the hindwings stop at the same instant although they have already started their downstroke.4.The basic wing positions during the glide are described.5.A lift drag ratio of 1.7∶1 has been calculated, and a minimum sinking rate of just over 2 m/s has been measured.6.Glides commence with a positive body angle of up to 30° but this is rapidly reduced during the glide as the animal pitches forward.7.Glides tend to end when the animal is diving, i.e. with a negative body angle.8.The end of a glide is heralded by the hindwings moving downwards, followed by the forewings. Body angles are restored to a positive value very quickly after the end of a glide.

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