Experimental method for 3D reconstruction of Odonata wings (methodology and dataset)

• Published in: PloS one 2020-04, Vol.15 (4), p.e0232193-e0232193
• Main Authors: Chitsaz, Nasim, Marian, Romeo, Chahl, Javaan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aerodynamics; Aeronautics; Analysis; Biology and Life Sciences; CAT scans; Computed tomography; Datasets; Dehydration; Dehydration (Physiology); Destructive testing; Digital cameras; Displays (Marketing); Ecology; Engineering and Technology; Engineering schools; Evolution; Experimental methods; Flight; Flight behavior; Flight characteristics; High aspect ratio; Insect ecology; Insects; Lasers; Medicine and Health Sciences; Methods; Museums; Novels; Odonata; Photogrammetry; Physical Sciences; Post-production processing; Preservation; Research and Analysis Methods; Scanners; Scanning; Scanning electron microscopy; Species; Three dimensional models; Tomography; Wings
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0232193

Insect wings are highly evolved structures with aerodynamic and structural properties that are not fully understood or systematically modeled. Most species in the insect order Odonata have permanently deployed high aspect ratio wings. Odonata have been documented to exhibit extraordinary flight performance and a wide range of interesting flight behaviors that rely on agility and efficiency. The characteristic three-dimensional corrugated structures of these wings have been observed and modeled for a small number of species, with studies showing that corrugations can provide significant aerodynamic and structural advantages. Comprehensive museum collections are the most practical source of Odonata wing, despite the risk of adverse effects caused by dehydration and preservation of specimens. Museum specimens are not to be handled or damaged and are best left undisturbed in their display enclosures. We have undertaken a systematic process of scanning, modeling, and post-processing the wings of over 80 Odonata species using a novel and accurate method and apparatus we developed for this purpose. The method allows the samples to stay inside their glass cases if necessary and is non-destructive. The measurements taken have been validated against micro-computed tomography scanning and against similar-sized objects with measured dimensions. The resulting publicly available dataset will allow aeronautical analysis of Odonata aerodynamics and structures, the study of the evolution of functional structures, and research into insect ecology. The technique is useable for other orders of insects and other fragile samples.