How Fast Do Flies Fly?
WouterIf you have ever wondered how fast flies fly, consider the fact that their eyes are able to process light faster than ours. Scientists have discovered that flies’ eyes can detect light 146 times a second, which is more than twice as fast as human vision. They also found that flies’ eyes contain more mitochondria than human eyes, which means that they can detect light more quickly.
The fastest flying insects are the corn earworm moth and the desert locust. These two insects have averaged airspeeds of 33 km/h, but there are many species that fly much faster than that. Some insects have been known to fly up to 113 km/h, such as the black cutworm. The speed of insects depends on their size, feeding habits, sunlight, oxygen levels, and ascent angle. Additionally, the isolation of their habitat can affect the rate of flight.
Flies’ wings flap together when they are surrounded by other insects. However, when they are not flying, they move backwards and horizontally. Most flies flap their wings at a rate over 200 cycles per second. This speed enables them to perform amazing acrobatics. New research is exploring how flies do these feats. One theory proposes that their wings have a transmission system and clutch. The other theory involves sensory feedback.
House flies are known to fly fast. They can reach up to fifteen miles per hour when threatened, and their wings beat up to a thousand times a second. In addition, they can travel very small distances, as long as their surroundings are conducive.
