Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: SquarishTriangle on 03/12/2007 08:42:42

Title: Flies and the heat
Post by: SquarishTriangle on 03/12/2007 08:42:42

Flies mostly seem to come out and play when the weather is hot. Why might this be?

Here a few thoughts:

1. a) Are they all hiding away somewhere (perhaps sitting by a campfire? :P) during the cooler weather and wait to emerge when it's a bit hotter, or
b) Does the population of flies fluctuate with the seasons/weather patterns (soars during summer and diminishes in the winter)?

2. Do they come out because there are more sweaty (delicious) odours in the air when it's warmer?

3. Does warm weather signal mating time?

4. Are they more thirsty in the hot weather and opt to take a sip from the nearest human/animal?

5. Do they need the heat for their metabolism to kick in and allow them to become active?

Any ideas?

Title: Flies and the heat
Post by: Alandriel on 05/12/2007 16:26:29

Warmth makes things go gooey, sticky and smelly much quicker. Flies love nothing better

 [;D] [::)] [;D]

I do like the campfire idea too--> must apply to their cousins, the midgies of Scotland
 [;D]

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for a friend

Title: Flies and the heat
Post by: Carol-A on 05/12/2007 16:36:13

Flies have quite a short life cycle, and the eggs need heat to hatch and the larvae need heat to survive, so once it gets cold, most flies die, and the eggs can't hatch!

Title: Flies and the heat
Post by: SquarishTriangle on 06/12/2007 07:48:27

Ok ta.