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Some mechanical properties of the flagellar‐pedicellar suspension in Aedes aegypti (L.)
Author(s) -
McVEAN ALISTAIR
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
physiological entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.693
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1365-3032
pISSN - 0307-6962
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3032.1991.tb00582.x
Subject(s) - flagellum , aedes aegypti , biology , rotation (mathematics) , anatomy , sexual dimorphism , torque , suspension (topology) , resistive touchscreen , zoology , physics , ecology , geometry , paleontology , mathematics , homotopy , larva , bacteria , pure mathematics , electrical engineering , engineering , thermodynamics
The rotation of the flagellum of male and female Aedes aegypti (L.) was measured in a wind tunnel at wind speeds between 0 and 116cms ‐1 . Although the surface area of the female flagellum is only 10% of the male, it rotates through double the angle of the male flagellum for the same increase in wind speed. The larger rotation of the female flagellum could result from: a reduced resistive torque in the flagellar‐pedicellar suspension; a larger antennal‐positioning reflex; a smaller initial angle of attack. The resistive torque in the flagellar‐pedicellar suspension was measured in both male and female Aedes aegypti. In ten adult females the average torque at 8 o rotation was 2.70 ± 1.33 times 10 ‐10 Nm and in ten males it was 6.46 ± 3.46 times 10 ‐10 Nm. The significance of these results is discussed with reference to the sexual dimorphism in the sensory tasks required of Johnston's organ in the two sexes.