Page 33 - Design in Nature

Dust flies require large amounts of energy in order to maintain 1000 flaps per second. This
energy is found in the carbohydrate-rich nutrients they gather from flowers. Because of
their yellow and black stripes and their resemblance to bees, these flies manage to avoid
the attention of many attackers.

during flight but do not produce any lift like wings do. The halteres move as
the flight direction changes, and prevent the insect from losing its direction.
This system resembles the gyroscope used for navigation in today's
aircraft. 10

Lines representing
aircraft's wings

Revolving disc

The frame moving
about the disc
Level flight
Artificial line of horizon

Tilted aircraft

The frame
follows the
movement of Aircraft is
the plane tilted to left
Position of disc remains unchanged

A fly is 100 billion times smaller than an aircraft. Nevertheless, it is equipped with a
complex device functioning just like a gyroscope and a horizontal leveller, which are vitally
important for flying. Its manoeuvrability and flight techniques, on the other hand, are far
superior to those of the plane.