Where Do Flies Go at Night?
WouterIf you’ve ever wondered where flies go at night, you’re not alone. Many species of flies have a nighttime ritual, but you may not be aware of it. They sleep on walls, floors, and even on curtains, cords, and furniture. Because the temperature at night is much cooler than during the day, flies tend to become drowsy and seek shelter under leaves, branches, and tree trunks. Unlike other animals, they have no nests or colonies.
Researchers tracked the sleeping habits of fruit flies and found that male flies sleep for at least 10 hours per night, while females sleep only five hours. This is thought to be related to sexual dimorphism, since females eat more frequently and need more protein for egg production. However, a small percentage of fruit flies slept for as little as 20 minutes over a twenty-four-hour period. While this small number of insects was considered an anomaly, the study does show that sleep may not be as essential as previously thought.
Dragonflies and fruit flies are known to spend the night in cooler conditions, while many types of flies are active during the day. While humans have two stages of sleep, flies alternate between a light and deep phase. Their sensitive antennae and eyes allow them to perceive the light and dark. They rest under the leaves of plants and branches, while sleeping on tall grasses and tree trunks.
