Why Do Flies Need Light to Live?
WouterIn order to survive, flies need polarized light for visual guidance. During the day, most species of flies are active, while at night, they sleep. This is because their body temperature is lower at night, slowing down their activity. They will sleep on the ground, in tree leaves, or under leaves.
Light also has effects on flies, including aging. It affects eye cells and the olfactory system. Blue light damages photoreceptor cells and leads to degeneration of the retina. Extensive exposure to blue light also leads to increased expression of genes that cause aging and stress.
Flies spend the winter in the larva stage, where they lay eggs. Their metabolism is greatly slowed down during the colder months, but they will emerge when the weather gets warm again. This is called diapause. In this state, they cannot feed and move, and their metabolism slows down dramatically. This makes them vulnerable to predators, which is why most flies migrate to warmer regions during colder months.
The sun also plays an important role in flies’ behavior. During the day, flies stay active, while at night, they tend to rest. They do not live in colonies or build nests. They live solitary, and will sleep on a surface, which they find suitable. Most species of flies do not fly during the night. In addition, flies are cold-blooded, which means they need more sleep in colder months than in warmer seasons.
