Data from: Flexibility and control of thorax deformation during hawkmoth flight

The interaction between neuromuscular systems and body mechanics plays an important role in the production of coordinated movements in animals. Lepidopteran insects move the wings via distortion of the thorax structure via the indirect flight muscles (IFMs), while the IFMs are activated by neural signals at every stroke. However, how these muscle activities affect thorax deformation and wing kinematics is poorly understood. We measured the deformation of the mesonotum (dorsal portion of the mesothorax) of the tethered flying hawkmoth, Agrius convolvuli, using a high-speed laser profilometer combined with simultaneous recordings of electromyograms and wing kinematics. We observed locally amplified mesonotum deformation near the wing hinges to ensure sufficient wing movement. Furthermore, phase asymmetry in IFM activities led to phase asymmetry in mesonotum oscillations and wingbeats. Our results confirmed the flexibility and controllability of a single structure of the mesonotum by neurogenic action of the IFMs.神经肌肉系统与身体力学的相互作用，对动物协调运动的产生具有关键作用。鳞翅目昆虫借助间接飞行肌（indirect flight muscles, IFMs）牵动胸部结构变形以实现翅部运动，且每一次振翅周期内，间接飞行肌都会接收神经信号并被激活。然而，目前学界对这类肌肉活动如何影响胸部变形与翅部运动学特征的认知仍较为有限。本研究采用高速激光轮廓仪，结合同步记录的肌电图与翅部运动学数据，对拴飞状态下芋双线天蛾（Agrius convolvuli）的中胸背板（mesonotum，即中胸的背侧区域）变形情况进行了测量。研究团队观察到，翅关节附近的中胸背板局部变形存在放大效应，以此保障翅部获得充足的运动幅度。此外，间接飞行肌活动的相位不对称性，会引发中胸背板振动与振翅行为的相位不对称。本研究结果证实，间接飞行肌的神经源性驱动作用，可使单一中胸背板结构兼具灵活性与可控性。