Putting a new spin on insect jumping performance using 3D modeling and computer simulations of spotted lanternfly nymphs

Li, Chengpei; Xu, Aaron J.; Beery, Eric; Hsieh, S. Tonia; Kane, Suzanne Amador

doi:10.1242/jeb.246340

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…While planthopper nymphs and immature stages of other jumping insects, such as leafhoppers and Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids), are also capable of jumping, research into their mid-air body control is lacking [52, 53]. To date, only two related studies have investigated the mid-air behavior of spotted lanternfly nymphs, uncovering and modelling their use of legs to slow rotations mid-air, which was shown to assist in landing success [54, 55].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wax “tails” enable planthopper nymphs to self-right midair and land on their feet

McDonald,

Alcalde,

Jones

et al. 2024

Preprint

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The striking appearance of wax "tails" - posterior wax projections on planthopper nymphs - has captivated entomologists and naturalists alike. Despite their intriguing presence, the functional roles of these structures remain largely unexplored. This study leverages high-speed imaging to uncover the biomechanical implications of these wax formations in the aerial dynamics of planthopper nymphs (Ricania sp.). We quantitatively demonstrate that removing wax tails significantly increases body rotations during jumps. Specifically, nymphs without wax projections undergo continuous rotations, averaging 4.3 +/- 1.9 per jump, in contrast to wax-intact nymphs, who narrowly complete a full rotation, averaging only 0.7 +/- 0.2 per jump. This suggests that wax structures effectively counteract rotation through aerodynamic drag forces. These stark differences in body rotation correlate with landing success: nymphs with wax intact achieve a near perfect landing rate of 98.5%, while those without wax manage only a 35.5% success rate. Jump trajectory analysis reveals transitions from parabolic to Tartaglia shapes at higher take-off velocities for wax-intact nymphs, illustrating how wax structures assist nymphs in achieving stable, controlled descents. Our findings confirm the aerodynamic self-righting functionality of wax tails in stabilizing planthopper landings, advancing our understanding of the complex interplay between wax morphology and aerial maneuverability, with broader implications for the evolution of flight in wingless insects and bioinspired robotics.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wax “tails” enable planthopper nymphs to self-right midair and land on their feet

McDonald,

Alcalde,

Jones

et al. 2024

Preprint

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“…On a practical note, this study demonstrates the feasibility of creating 3D models of external morphology using free software packages and low-cost photogrammetry for specimens too small for 3D scanning, and for studies that do not require the resolution and full 3D imaging capabilities of microCT. Given that this combination of 3D tracking and modeling has proved productive for understanding rotational dynamics during insect jumping (Li et al 2023) and terrestrial self-righting (this study), these methods could also be extended to explore a wider range of motions (e.g., modes of locomotion) in combination with 3D prints based on realistic 3D models (Behm et al 2018).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Tracked coordinates and body orientation axes were smoothed by local regression using robust quadratic polynomial regression over a moving window of 25 ms (for slower-moving body parts) and 5 ms (for faster-moving legs) (MATLAB's smooth with the "rloess" option, which ignores data that lie over 6 mean absolute deviations from the regression). Numerical derivatives were computed using quadratic polynomial regression using the same 25 ms time window (Li et al 2023). We classified the rotational motions during self-righting using the orientation of the rotational axis in spatial and body fixed coordinates (defined in "Measuring and representing 3D orientation" below), the location of the pivot point about which rotations occur, and the distance, d, of the insect's center of mass (COM) from the axis of rotation.…”

Section: Video Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Six 4 th instar nymphs also were dissected for use in separately measuring the dimensions and mass of the body and each leg. These data were used with Blender rendering software (www.blender.org, January 16, 2023) to create realistic 3D models of the spotted lanternfly nymph body; for details see (Li et al 2023). (Fig.…”

Section: D Rendered Model and Calculations Of Mechanical Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Using pose estimation and 3D rendered models to study leg-mediated self-righting by lanternflies

Bien

Alexander

et al. 2023

Preprint

Self Cite

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The ability to upright quickly and efficiently when overturned on the ground (terrestrial self-righting) is crucial for living organisms and robots. The emerging field of terradynamics seeks to understand how and why different animals use diverse self-righting strategies. We studied this behavior using high speed multiangle video in nymphs of the invasive spotted lanternfly (SLF, Lycorma delicatula), an insect that must frequently recover from falling in its native habitat. While most insect species previously studied can use wing opening to facilitate overturning, nymphs, like most robots, are wingless. SLFs were highly successful at self-righting (>92% of trials) with no significant difference in the time or number of attempts required for three substrates with varying friction and roughness. These nymphs seldom overturned using the pitching and rolling strategies observed for other insect species, instead primarily flipping upright by rotating around a diagonal body axis. To understand these motions, we used video, photogrammetry and Blender rendering software to create novel, highly realistic 3D models of SLF body poses during each strategy. These models were analyzed using the energy landscape theory of self-righting, which posits that animals use methods that minimize energy barriers to overturning, and inertial morphing, which proposes the animal adjusts its body pose to minimize the rotational inertia during overturning, a theory which has not been applied to self-righting. A combination of both theories was found to explain the observed preferred strategies of this species, indicating the value of using 3D renderings with mechanical modeling for terradynamics and biomimetic applications.

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Using Pose Estimation and 3D Rendered Models to Study Leg-Mediated Self-righting by Lanternflies

Bien,

Alexander,

et al. 2024

Integrative and Comparative Biology

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The ability to upright quickly and efficiently when overturned on the ground (terrestrial self-righting) is crucial for living organisms and robots. Previous studies have mapped the diverse behaviors used by various animals to self-right on different substrates, and proposed physical models to explain how body morphology can favor specific self-righting methods. However, to our knowledge no studies have quantified and modeled all of an animal's limb motions during these complicated behaviors. Here, we studied terrestrial self-righting by immature invasive spotted lanternflies (Lycorma delicatula), an insect species that must frequently recover from being overturned after jumping and falling in its native habitat. These nymphs self-righted successfully in 92-100% of trials on three substrates with different friction and roughness, with no significant difference in the time or number of attempts required. They accomplished this using three stereotypic sequences of movements. To understand these motions, we combined 3D poses tracked on multi-view high-speed video with articulated 3D models created using photogrammetry and Blender rendering software. The results were used to calculate the mechanical properties (e.g., potential and kinetic energy, angular speed, stability margin, torque, force, etc.) of these insects during righting trials. We used an inverted physical pendulum model (a “template”) to estimate the kinetic energy available in comparison to the increase in potential energy required to flip over. While these insects began righting using primarily quasistatic motions, they also used dynamic leg motions to achieve final tip-over. However, this template did not describe important features of the insect's center of mass trajectory and rotational dynamics, necessitating the use of an “anchor” model comprising the 3D rendered body model and six articulated two-segment legs to model the body's internal degrees of freedom and capture the role of the legs’ contribution to inertial reorientation. This anchor elucidated the sequence of highly coordinated leg movements these insects used for propulsion, adhesion, and inertial reorientation during righting, and how they frequently pivot about a body contact point on the ground to flip upright. In the most frequently used method, diagonal rotation, these motions allowed nymphs to spin their bodies to upright with lower force with a greater stability margin compared to the other less frequently-used methods. We provide a concise overview of necessary background on 3D orientation and rotational dynamics, and the resources required to apply these low-cost modeling methods to other problems in biomechanics.

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Putting a new spin on insect jumping performance using 3D modeling and computer simulations of spotted lanternfly nymphs

Cited by 4 publications

References 73 publications

Wax “tails” enable planthopper nymphs to self-right midair and land on their feet

Wax “tails” enable planthopper nymphs to self-right midair and land on their feet

Using pose estimation and 3D rendered models to study leg-mediated self-righting by lanternflies

Using Pose Estimation and 3D Rendered Models to Study Leg-Mediated Self-righting by Lanternflies

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