Can Fly’s Regrow Wings?

The question of whether or not flies can regrow wings has a variety of answers. One theory holds that flies have active mechanisms for repairing their wing damage. This mechanism involves regulating the stroke frequency of the indirect flight muscles by varying the firing rate of motor neurons. Another theory proposes that flies can regrow wings from scratch.

To determine whether flies can regrow wings, scientists first studied the dietary conditions that induce regeneration in animals. Using fruit flies, Fayth Tan and his team developed a protocol to amputation and then added insulin and leucine to the flies’ diets. In the end, the researchers were able to induce limb regrowth in 49 percent of the flies. The research also suggests that all vertebrates have the ability to regenerate wings.

Insects evolved wings over 200 million years, but the process of wing evolution is not straightforward. For 200 million years, genes inhibited the development of wing-like structures in insects. However, those genes eventually lost their inhibitory ability. This allowed insects to develop wings, which are now used by insects for camouflage.

The primary wingbeats of a fly beat approximately 200 to 300 times per second. This high-speed movement of the insect’s wing allows it to perform complex flight movements. These movements include tight spirals, zigzags, and even backward maneuvers. They also have taste buds located on the end of their legs, which function much like human taste buds.