Multitasking Moths

It’s difficult enough to see things in the dark, but what if you also had to hover in midair while tracking a flower moving in the wind?

That's the challenge the hummingbird-sized hawkmoth must overcome while feeding on the nectar of its favorite flowers.

Using high-speed infrared cameras and 3-D-printed robotic flowers, scientists have now learned how this insect juggles these complex sensing and control challenges — all while adjusting to changing light conditions. 

What the researchers have discovered could help the next generation of small flying robots operate efficiently under a broad range of lighting conditions. 

Read more about this fascinating study in the Research Horizons story, Multitasking Moths.