ACCELERATION FIELD OF INDIVIDUAL MIDGES, ANARETE PRITCHARDI (DIPTERA: CECIDOMYIIDAE), WITHIN A SWARM

Abstract
We analyzed a roll of 16 mm motion-picture film of the swarming of a cecidomyiid midge, Anarete pritchardi Kim, to calculate the acceleration of individual insects. We find that the midge moves with high accelerations, occasionally twice the acceleration of gravity, and that the midge is also subject to an inward force predominantly at the swarm edge. Energetics of midge flight is also considered by using accelerations and related data.