Systematic characterization of wing mechanosensors that monitor airflow and wing deformations

Animal wings deform during flight in ways that can enhance lift,
facilitate flight control, and mitigate damage. Monitoring the structural
and aerodynamic state of the wing is challenging because deformations are
passive, and the flow fields are unsteady; it requires distributed
mechanosensors that respond to local airflow and strain on the wing.
Without a complete map of the sensor arrays, it is impossible to model
control strategies underpinned by them. Here, we present the first
systematic characterization of mechanosensors on the dragonfly’s wings:
morphology, distribution, and wiring. By combining a cross-species survey
of sensor distribution with quantitative neuroanatomy and a high-fidelity
finite element analysis, we show that the mechanosensors are well-placed
to perceive features of the wing dynamics relevant to flight. This work
describes the wing sensory apparatus in its entirety and advances our
understanding of the sensorimotor loop that facilitates exquisite flight
control in animals with highly deformable wings.