Why Are Flies So Fast?

Flies have an impressive array of abilities. While flying, they can change direction in a split second and perform neat flying maneuvers. They also have drumstick-like organs called halteres that function as gyroscopes and measure torque and angular momentum throughout their body. As a result, they’re able to turn on a dime, turn a full 180 degrees and even roll up to 90 degrees!

Flies have complex eyes. Their eyes consist of multiple facets, each of which focuses light onto clusters of photoreceptors. Because of the complexity of flies’ eyes, each facets produces an individual pixel of vision. It’s this incredibly fast processing of information that allows flies to turn in such a fast and agile fashion.

In addition to being able to turn in a snap, flies are also able to detect light. One species, known as the killer fly, is able to launch itself into the air and circle around another fly in mid-flight in less than a second. This is largely due to the fact that killer flies have more mitochondria than most other flies, which allows them to perceive light at a super fast rate.

Although flies have tiny brains, they are able to outmaneuver humans and escape swats without any difficulty. This ability may be the very foundation of human consciousness.