Understanding the thermodynamic properties of insect swarms

Abstract Sinhuber et al. (Sci Rep 11:3773, 2021) formulated an equation of state for laboratory swarms the non-biting midge Chironomus riparius that holds true when are driven through thermodynamic cycles by application external perturbations. The findings significant because they demonstrate surprising efficacy classical equilibrium thermodynamics quantitatively characterizing and predicting collective behaviour in biology. Nonetheless, obtained (2021) is anomalous, lacking a physical analogue, making its’ interpretation problematic. Moreover, dynamical processes underlying cycling were not identified. Here I show insect equally well represented as van der Waals gases attribute possibility to consisting several overlapping sublayers. This brings about profound change understanding which until now have been regarded non-interacting individuals any internal structure. how effective interactions can be attributed swarms’ structure, perturbations presence intrinsic noise. thereby noise known crucial emergence macroscopic mechanical properties also their encapsulated state.