Is it Safe to Drink Alcohol With Fruit Flies in It?
WouterThe answer to the question “is it safe to drink alcohol with fruit fly larvae in it?” is a resounding “yes!” This is because fruit flies will often use alcohol as protection from parasitic wasps. When a fruit fly larva is exposed to alcohol, it will often suffocate and die, killing the parasitic wasp within. This also means that it is safer to consume alcohol with fruit flies in it because the larvae will be dead before it can lay eggs.
In another study, the Schlenke lab used fruit flies to examine the effects of alcohol on their larvae. They found that the larvae of fruit flies that had been exposed to alcohol fared much better than those exposed to a control group. This finding is particularly interesting since it implies that alcohol-resistant fruit flies may actually prefer alcohol.
The brain of a fruit fly contains a chemical called neuropeptide F, which triggers reward response in the brain. When male flies are deprived of sex, their neuropeptide F levels drop, leading them to drink more alcohol. This behavior is similar to the behavior of humans, who experience withdrawal symptoms when the alcohol is taken away.
The study also showed that the fruit flies developed a tolerance to the alcohol. The flies become increasingly tolerant to the effects of alcohol, and need more alcohol to achieve the same behavioral effects. The flies also show symptoms of withdrawal, including dysphoria, anxiety, and even seizures.
