Why Do Flies Take Off Their Heads?
WouterThe question “why do flies take off their heads?” has long puzzled scientists. But what exactly do flies do to get the food they need? Fly bodies are made of mostly water and have no teeth, so they can’t chew solid food. Instead, they use receptors on their feet to determine if a given food source is healthy. When flies are about to feed, they may rub their legs together or groom themselves. The bristles or fine hair on their legs and feet help them to feel food and find out if the food is tasty.
Flies also have complex eyes that form images by focusing light onto clusters of photoreceptors. In humans, this ability to detect the direction of light and motion helps us to navigate the world around us. The flies’ eyes also have multiple facets, which allow them to make quick adjustments while moving.
Flies have small, streamlined bodies that are well-adapted for aerial movement. The head is comprised of the eyes, antennae, and mouthparts, while the thorax carries the wing. The second segment also has flight muscles, which help the insects balance themselves during flight. The abdomen consists of 11 segments, some of which are fused. The hindmost segments are modified to help with reproduction.
One of the most interesting findings was a new discovery about a species of flies that decapitate ants. These flies belong to the Phoridae family and lay their eggs inside ants. The larvae then feed inside their heads, which causes the ants to detach their heads. The scientists described the Dohrniphora species in Biodiversity Data Journal.
