Development of flight behaviour in maturing adults of Locusta migratoria: II. Aerodynamic parameters

In Locusta migratoria suspended from a flight balance, flight speed relative to the air and the lift were recorded throughout adult life. During continuous flight at all ages flight speed and lift decrease, but during maturation both aerodynamic parameters increase. These parameters appear to be dominated by the wing-stroke frequency in a more or less constant relationship. Locusts only 2 days old can maintain altitude in free flight. It is concluded that the basic neuronal flight pattern is determined at the last moult and that only the motoroutput frequency increases to approximately match the body weight, which increases with age.