Fruit flies, also known as Drosphilia Malanogaster, have been studied for over sixty years. They are easy to raise, grow, and study for their genetic tendencies. The female lays about 500 eggs, a few at a time, in rotting fruit or other suitable locations. The eggs hatch quickly, in 15 to 24 hours and the the larvae begin to feed on the sugar in the fruit. At least that is what we thought! Then, after about four days, the larvae encapsulates in the puparium, and then emerges as an adult. The entire life cycle is about 30 days, depending on temperature. But, all of the time we have thought that the larvae were feeding on sugar and microorganisms, has now been challenged.
Roshan Vijendravarma, of the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, and his colleagues have observed larvae eating older and fatter larvae. The most important part of this observation is that it is a behavior that has been unknown. It suggests that we can still find surprises, even in well studied species.
The fruit fly like other flies, is of the order Diptera, and has mufti-faceted eyes. I have included photos of the well known red eyes at 20 and 40 power on my microscope below. As a side point, if you want to exterminate them, here is a good way to do so: Place two tablespoons of cider vinegar in a dish with one quarter teaspoon of dish soap, any kind and mix well. The cider vinegar will attract them, and the soap traps them from leaving by wetting their bodies making them unable to fly. Here's looking at you!
Roshan Vijendravarma, of the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, and his colleagues have observed larvae eating older and fatter larvae. The most important part of this observation is that it is a behavior that has been unknown. It suggests that we can still find surprises, even in well studied species.
The fruit fly like other flies, is of the order Diptera, and has mufti-faceted eyes. I have included photos of the well known red eyes at 20 and 40 power on my microscope below. As a side point, if you want to exterminate them, here is a good way to do so: Place two tablespoons of cider vinegar in a dish with one quarter teaspoon of dish soap, any kind and mix well. The cider vinegar will attract them, and the soap traps them from leaving by wetting their bodies making them unable to fly. Here's looking at you!
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