Trading Energy For Safety, Bees Extend Legs To Stay Stable In Wind
Tuesday, June 2, 2009 - 12:42
in Physics & Chemistry
New research shows some bees brace themselves against wind and turbulence by extending their sturdy hind legs while flying. But this approach comes at a steep cost, increasing aerodynamic drag and the power required for flight by roughly 30 percent, and cutting into the bees' flight performance.