CASCB Talk: The visual guidance of insect aerial combat

Time
Monday, 25. November 2024
11:45 - 13:00

Location
ZT702 and online

Organizer
CASCB

Speaker:
Samuel Fabian, Imperial College, London UK

Join the talk on Zoom

Abstract: We might think insects use flight as simply a way to get from A to B. However, along the way they will fly navigate through a congested, potentially hostile airspace. In flight, insects battle for prey, territory, and mates, performing dramatic aerial dogfights with extraordinary reaction speeds. This presentation will discuss the patterns of insect aerial pursuit and combat, using 3D reconstruction of high-speed aerial engagements in the field.

Bio: Dr Sam Fabian is a research associate at Imperial College London. His work focusses on the ways in which insects are adapted to chase, fight, and capture each other in the air. The goal of his work is to understand the patterns of insect flight we see around us.

Dragonflies flying over a pond
Dragonfly combat © Samuel Fabian