AERODYNAMIC PARAMETERS AND DESIGN OF FLIGHT SURFACE OF THE MOSQUITO CULEX-QUINQUEFASCIATUS (DIPTERA, CULICIDAE) SAY

The biophysical characters of the mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus, A dreaded vector of bancroftian filariasis was investigated. The data represents the ''system'' in bioaerodynamics which comprises the adult mosquito and induced air, and constitutes ''action-reaction pair'' for the hovering flight. Hence the static and dynamic parameters of this species are determined. An expression for moment of inertia of the flight surface (wing) is deduced considering wing design and geometry. Further aerodynamic requirements in relation to flight performance of the insect are elaborated. It is concluded that this study provides useful information on the hovering flight behaviour of the mosquito C. quinquefasciatus.