Jumping from the surface of water by the long-legged fly Hydrophorus (Diptera, Dolichopodidae)

Abstract

Summary The fly, Hydrophorus that is 4 mm long and has a mass of 4.7 mg moves around upon and jumps from water without its tarsi penetrating the surface. All 6 tarsi have a surface area of 1.3 mm-2 in contact with the water but did not dimple its surface when standing. Jumping was propelled by depression of the trochantera and extension of the tibiae of both hind and middle legs which are 40% longer than the front legs and 170% longer than the body. As these four legs progressively propelled the insect to take-off, they each created dimples on the water surface that expanded in depth and area. No dimples were associated with the front legs, which were not moved in a consistent sequence. The wings opened while the legs were moving and then flapped at a frequency of 148 Hz. The body was accelerated in a mean time of 21 ms to a mean take-off velocity of 0.7 m s-1. The best jumps reached velocities of 1.6 m s-1, required an energy output of 7 µJ and a power output of 0.6 mW, with the fly experiencing a force of 140 g. The required power output indicates that direct muscle contractions could propel the jump without the need for elaborate mechanisms for energy storage. Take-off trajectories were steep with a mean of 87 degrees to the horizontal. Take-off velocity fell if a propulsive tarsus penetrated the surface of the water. If more tarsi became submerged, take-off was not successful. A second strategy for take-off was powered only by the wings and was associated with slower (1 degree ms-1 compared with 10 degrees ms-1 when jumping) and less extensive movements of the propulsive joints of the middle and hind legs. No dimples were then created on the surface of the water. When jumping was combined with wing flapping, the acceleration time to take-off was reduced by 84 % and the take-off velocity was increased by 168 %. Jumping can potentially therefore enhance survival when threatened by a potential predator.