Comprehensive collections of specimens exist throughout the world in museums, potentially allowing the wings of all known species to be modeled.ĭisturbances, let alone destructive tests and energy emitting digitization technologies, should not be suffered by dragonfly wings in the world’s collections. For these reasons, it is impractical and improper to gather a large sample of Odonata species for one purpose. Many Odonata require undisturbed and difficult to access environments, and many species are scarce with populations that are threatened by human activity. Seeking Odonata in natural environments for scanning would require significant resources in time, travel, and personnel. Odonata classification and diversity of the dataset.

For aerodynamic and mechanical purposes, structures of the order of tens of microns are likely to be relevant. Structure is present at the millimeter through to micron scale. Fig 1 shows the corrugation and structure of the Neurobasis Daviesi wing surface captured with a scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which was conducted at the University of South Australia. An accurate model of the structure is necessary to allow the use of computational techniques to explore the interactions between aerodynamic forces and the structure of the wing. The structure of Odonata wings has been shown to play an important role during flight because the deformation of the wings changes their aerodynamics. The wings of Odonata are corrugated in the millimeter scale, rather than being smooth and are likely to produce lift and drag in complex ways, while structurally deforming under aerodynamic loads. From the perspective of an existence proof, large Odonata wings are an attractive candidate model for micro air vehicles (MAVs). These characteristics, associated with efficient and effective flight, compare favorably with other orders of the insect. Many modern Odonata fly fast, are highly maneuverable, and can fly over long ranges. Proto-Odonata were among the first winged insects to evolve, over 300 million years ago. Detailed analysis of the design of insect wings may provide new insights into how insect wings have been adapted towards improved aerodynamics by evolution. In some regards, dragonfly wings, with their permanently deployed position, may be among the purest examples of animal wings evolved for aerodynamics. Insect and bird wings are an evolved, functional structure that have been subject to an unusual number of evolutionary pressures, including aerodynamics. The technique is useable for other orders of insects and other fragile samples. The resulting publicly available dataset will allow aeronautical analysis of Odonata aerodynamics and structures, the study of the evolution of functional structures, and research into insect ecology. The measurements taken have been validated against micro-computed tomography scanning and against similar-sized objects with measured dimensions.

The method allows the samples to stay inside their glass cases if necessary and is non-destructive.

We have undertaken a systematic process of scanning, modeling, and post-processing the wings of over 80 Odonata species using a novel and accurate method and apparatus we developed for this purpose. Museum specimens are not to be handled or damaged and are best left undisturbed in their display enclosures. Comprehensive museum collections are the most practical source of Odonata wing, despite the risk of adverse effects caused by dehydration and preservation of specimens. The characteristic three-dimensional corrugated structures of these wings have been observed and modeled for a small number of species, with studies showing that corrugations can provide significant aerodynamic and structural advantages. Odonata have been documented to exhibit extraordinary flight performance and a wide range of interesting flight behaviors that rely on agility and efficiency. Most species in the insect order Odonata have permanently deployed high aspect ratio wings. Insect wings are highly evolved structures with aerodynamic and structural properties that are not fully understood or systematically modeled.

Dragon wings 3d model