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Why do flies rub their legs together?
Why do flies rub their legs together?π The short answerFlies rub their legs together to clean off dust, dirt, moisture, and pollen that can interfere with their senses. Staying clean helps them fly, avoid infections, an taste with their feet. π The long answerYou've probably spotted a fly rubbing its little legs together and wondered what that's all about. The options run through your head (memes linked for illustrative effect):
Although it's impossible to rule out world domination, grooming is the reason why flies rub their legs together. In fact in 2014, researchers purposefully covered flies in dust (rude) and then observed their cleaning routine. They found that a fly might spend more than 20 minutes methodically removing dust from its head, wings, back, and legs. But for an animal that spends a lot of its lifespan hanging around poop, why are they so concerned with staying clean? Let's dig into the reasons why flies groom themselves: Reason #1: Flies are trying to maintain good flying performanceFlies fly. To fly well, they are loaded up with touch- and movement-sensitive receptors on their legs and other parts of their body (which also help them avoiding your swatting). These receptors must be kept free of dirt, dust, pollen, and moisture in order for them to work effectively for flight. Flies use their hairy legs to clean their head, wings, and other legs. Cleaning is part of their pre-flight checklist. Reason #2: Flies are trying to prevent illnessThe bristles on their legs can also attract deadly molds and fungi. Constantly keeping their legs clean helps to maintain good health. Reason #3: Flies are cleansing their palateWe humans like to think we're special because of our fancy opposable thumbs. But flies have something we don't: The ability to taste with their feet. Flies walk around tasting for their favorite foods. (Fun fact: Fruit flies don't eat fruit. Instead they eat the yeast that forms on rotting fruit, which is why they tend to show up when you've let your fruit go too ripe.) Once their taste receptors have detected something tasty, they regurgitate saliva from their stomach to break it down into liquid. Without teeth, flies drink their food by sucking it up with a straw-like part of their mouth. If their taste receptors get clogged with dust or dirt, they won't be as able to find their next meal. Cleaning their legs is essentially a fly's way of cleansing its palate. Female flies also rely on their taste receptors to identify the best place to lay their eggs. Mom life! (P.S. Happy belated birthday to my mom! π β€οΈ)
βSources for this week's newsletterβ
π Wikipedia article of the weekβMoberlyβJourdain incidentβ"The MoberlyβJourdain incident ... is a claim of time travel and hauntings made by Charlotte Anne Moberly (1846β1937) and Eleanor Jourdain (1863β1924). In 1911, Moberly and Jourdain published a book entitled An Adventure [which] describes a visit they made to the Petit Trianon, a small chΓ’teau in the grounds of the Palace of Versailles, where they claimed to have seen the gardens as they had been in the late eighteenth century, as well as ghosts, including Marie Antoinette and others. Their story caused a sensation and was subject to much ridicule." π Catch up on other curious questions
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Learn something new every Friday. Join 2,000+ nerds and satisfy your curiosity one question at a time with topics including science, technology, history, and more.
Can the brain heal itself after a stroke? This question came from a reader submission (thanks Aunt Genie!). Has a curious question stumped you lately? Feel free to submit your own question here: Submit your question π The short answer After a stroke, the brain can reorganize its neural pathways to recover lost functions through neuroplasticity. The best way to promote healing is consistent practice of the affected functions, like deliberately using the weaker side of the body for everyday...
Why do coconuts have water? This question came from a reader submission (thanks Akaal!). Has a curious question stumped you lately? Feel free to submit your own question here: Submit your question π The short answer Coconuts carry water because theyβre designed to launch a seed with an immediately usable food reserve. This liquid endosperm supports early growth, while the meat provides sustained fuel as the seedling develops. π The long answer Coconuts are an unusual fruit (yes, they are a...
Why does alcohol make you feel warm? π The short answer Alcohol feels warming because ethanol lowers the activation threshold of heat-sensitive receptors, fooling your nervous system into thinking youβre overheating. Your body then attempts to cool itself by dilating blood vessels and sending warm blood to the skinβs surface. π The long answer Normally, a beverage needs to be warm to make you feel warm β but not alcohol. Whether it's a burning sensation from taking a shot or a more gentle...