Aspect Ratio as a Measure of Insect Flight Accuracy

The allometric patterns of an insect body are shaped by an insect’s functional
ecology. In particular, we believe that different guilds of dung beetles practicing
different life history strategies will exhibit varying flight accuracy. We hypothesized
that these constraints would result in accurate flyers displaying generally lower wing
aspect ratios. Additionally, we expected to see a positive correlation between body
size and aspect ratio, signifying a decline in flight accuracy with increasing body size.
To capture and differentiate between inaccurate and accurate flying insects, we used a
modified pitfall trap, entitled the Byrne Pitfall Trap. The aspect ratios of the insects
collected in the inner and outer traps were not significantly different and did not
support our predicted correlation between body size and aspect ratio. These results
may not be representative of actual allometric patterns in insects due to our small
sample size. They nonetheless indicate that, for an insect, functional ecology and the
demands of flight have no bearing upon wing shape.