This year, the world of sports witnessed a remarkable achievement – the fastest backflip ever recorded, done by a tiny spherical springtail insect. This tiny creature, only 1mm tall, has the ability to flip backwards at incredible speeds, making it seem like it disappears upon takeoff.
The spherical springtail, scientifically known as Dikiltmina Minuta, is a fascinating six-legged hexapod that can move more than 60 times its height in just a split second. It spins in the air at remarkable speeds, resembling Sonic the Hedgehog’s jumps.
Adrian Smith, in his study published in Integrative Organism Biology, sheds light on the jumping behavior of spherical springtails. He used high-speed video footage to capture the insect’s backflipping takeoff, which reaches 368 revolutions per second.
This unique ability to backflip at high speeds is believed to be a defense mechanism, allowing the insect to evade predators. Despite their incredible speed, landing for spherical springtails does not seem to be a challenge, as they have a sticky, forked tube that helps them slow down in mid-air.
Smith’s research has provided valuable insights into the jumping ability of these tiny insects, showcasing the incredible and largely unknown organisms that exist in our surroundings.
Source: www.sciencefocus.com
