Slow motion analysis of flight curves in Odonata

Slow-motion recordings were used to analyze the flight of different species of dragonflies in the field. The flapping frequencies during the turns increased. The measures leading to curves correspond in the two groups of Odonata, Anisoptera and Zygoptera. At slow curves the wings of the outer curve were steeper inclined on upstroke than those of the inner curve, and the opposite was true for the downstroke. The stroke paths on the outside were steeper and beginning higher up, while on the inside they flapped flatter and lower down. Banking of the body and thus also of the stroke plane occurred during fast curves. The faster and tighter the curve, the steeper the banking. The methods employed by Odonata to achieve the banking position and furthermore the numbers of wing beats required for 180° turns are presented. The results from the field are compared with those from various laboratories. There are similarities, but also peculiarities of the curved flight that were only observed in the field.