Date of Award

Spring 5-2019

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Program

Biological Sciences

Department

Biological Sciences

Major Professor

Dr. Phil DeVries

Second Advisor

Dr. Carla Penz

Third Advisor

Dr. Joel Atallah

Abstract

Flight is a vital component of butterfly natural history, and flight-associated morphology is thought to be under strong selection for the performance of critical behaviors such as patrolling, courtship and oviposition. However, while different behaviors require different proportions of flapping versus gliding flight, few studies actually quantify butterfly flight behavior. Moreover, as butterfly flight is anteromotoric, no prior study has measured the role of hind wing allometry in flight. Using high-speed videography, this study compares the flight of two species of Haeterini (Nymphalidae) that regularly employ gliding flight. We also employ stereo videography and experimental hind wing area reduction to measure the effects of hind wing allometry on flight. Results suggest that although the forewings are reliable predictors of flight in these two species, relative hind wing area can significantly affect gliding flight performance, and should be considered as a factor in future investigations on flight-associated morphology in butterflies.

Rights

The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.

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