Island pests

ANTIcarrot wrote:

>Most of the colony projects have involved low air pressures, to reduce
>both structural strain and volotiles requirements. But would this have an
>effect on pest control? Put simpy, can mosquettoes and other irratations
>fly at such low pressures and at normal gravity, or would they be stuck
>near the centre of the colony?

Excellent question.

I'd argue that as insect species have evolved to work in 1atm, and many are
near the limits of mass/energy as it is, many would struggle as the
pressure is lowered in an orbital environment.

With lower air pressure, wings would have to beat faster for the same level
of flight speed and control. Fortunately, insects could beat their wings
faster, as the pressure (drag) on their wings would drop in proportion.
(Their buzz would rise in pitch).

Unfortunately, the oxygen for flight would be cut in amount, even if its
partial pressure stayed the same as the pressure was lowered. Large insects
- whose ultimate size is more or less defined by the limits of their
trachea, the tubes through which air diffuses - would almost certainly not
be able to "breathe" sufficiently to maintain flight like they currently
do, and in any case would burn more energy for the same amount of flight
(reversing wing strokes requires changes in wing momentum from muscle use).

My back of an envelope hunch would be, as pressure is lowered, the larger
more ponderous fliers would suffer first (bumble bees and the like).
Possibly this would manifest itself as a limit on range - but then those
flower-feeders are going to have a tough time with navigation anyway. Once
you reach pure oxygen at 5psi - though surely no-one would back that as a
good idea in a settlement? - I doubt flying beasties would be troubling (or
pollenating) anything.

Andy G