Can Fly’s Die From Stress?
WouterIt’s long been believed that flies die of stress, but scientists have now discovered that this is not necessarily the case. In fact, lack of sleep can cause a variety of negative reactions in insects. Sleep deprivation can make flies function poorly, and even lead to crashes in some cases. But in general, flies don’t die as early as people would if they were sleep deprived. Even if they are not asleep, they still follow normal patterns of activity, including activity at dawn and dusk.
Stress affects flies’ immune systems. Researchers have found that repeated stress exposure reduces their glycogen and triglyceride stores. This suggests that stress can cause the flies to reallocate their energy reserves. Moreover, repeated stress exposure decreases the amount of fats in their bodies, thereby decreasing their lifespan.
In addition, if flies are not eating, they may be suffering from a stress-related condition. Stress makes houseflies uncomfortable and can lead them to get trapped in cupboards, containers, or window sills. The flies may not be able to fly away, which results in their death from lack of energy and stress.
Stress is one of the most common reasons why flies die. Flying constantly is tiring and stressful for them. Once they become sleepy, they seek a comfortable location to rest. Usually, they prefer the underside of leaves, twigs, tall grass, or under rocks.
