Fly blowing bubbles
Discussion
I'm now rather amazed having just googled for the reason why they do this that there are so many sites with info on something that I didn't know happened until about 20 seconds ago...
[quote]
1. Many flies blow bubbles, but not all: syrphids seem not to be engaged in blowing bubbles.
2. Other insects (bees, wasps, lace wings) do blow bubbles too, but not dragonflies.
3. The phenomenon is apparently not sex-limited.
4. Bubbles are either translucent or opaque.
5. Functional significance – if the behaviour has any – as yet unknown, but there are some interesting suggestions:
a. Bubble-blowing may play a role in digestion:
i. Concentrating the fluid through evaporation:
ii. Aerating the fluid so that microbial fauna would be affected to the detriment of obligatory ;
iii. Heating up the fluid by exposure to sunshine.
b. Bubble-blowing is a symptom of a common fly illness.
c. Bubble blowing is a defensive move. Some insects use regurgitated food as a weapon. They try to spread the sticky, noxious liquid over the attacker.
d. Flies do blow bubbles to clean their mouthparts with this fluid, more or less to flush them, and after they are ready they ingest the fluid again.
e. Flies can use bubbling for cooling of overheated body – thermoregulation.
[/quote]
[quote]
1. Many flies blow bubbles, but not all: syrphids seem not to be engaged in blowing bubbles.
2. Other insects (bees, wasps, lace wings) do blow bubbles too, but not dragonflies.
3. The phenomenon is apparently not sex-limited.
4. Bubbles are either translucent or opaque.
5. Functional significance – if the behaviour has any – as yet unknown, but there are some interesting suggestions:
a. Bubble-blowing may play a role in digestion:
i. Concentrating the fluid through evaporation:
ii. Aerating the fluid so that microbial fauna would be affected to the detriment of obligatory ;
iii. Heating up the fluid by exposure to sunshine.
b. Bubble-blowing is a symptom of a common fly illness.
c. Bubble blowing is a defensive move. Some insects use regurgitated food as a weapon. They try to spread the sticky, noxious liquid over the attacker.
d. Flies do blow bubbles to clean their mouthparts with this fluid, more or less to flush them, and after they are ready they ingest the fluid again.
e. Flies can use bubbling for cooling of overheated body – thermoregulation.
[/quote]
Edited by baz7175 on Thursday 31st January 17:48
baz7175 said:
I'm now rather amazed having just googled for the reason why they do this that there are so many sites with info on something that I didn't know happened until about 20 seconds ago...
1. Many flies blow bubbles, but not all: syrphids seem not to be engaged in blowing bubbles.
2. Other insects (bees, wasps, lace wings) do blow bubbles too, but not dragonflies.
3. The phenomenon is apparently not sex-limited.
4. Bubbles are either translucent or opaque.
5. Functional significance – if the behaviour has any – as yet unknown, but there are some interesting suggestions:
a. Bubble-blowing may play a role in digestion:
i. Concentrating the fluid through evaporation:
ii. Aerating the fluid so that microbial fauna would be affected to the detriment of obligatory ;
iii. Heating up the fluid by exposure to sunshine.
b. Bubble-blowing is a symptom of a common fly illness.
c. Bubble blowing is a defensive move. Some insects use regurgitated food as a weapon. They try to spread the sticky, noxious liquid over the attacker.
d. Flies do blow bubbles to clean their mouthparts with this fluid, more or less to flush them, and after they are ready they ingest the fluid again.
e. Flies can use bubbling for cooling of overheated body – thermoregulation.
good info there Baz, thanks for that 1. Many flies blow bubbles, but not all: syrphids seem not to be engaged in blowing bubbles.
2. Other insects (bees, wasps, lace wings) do blow bubbles too, but not dragonflies.
3. The phenomenon is apparently not sex-limited.
4. Bubbles are either translucent or opaque.
5. Functional significance – if the behaviour has any – as yet unknown, but there are some interesting suggestions:
a. Bubble-blowing may play a role in digestion:
i. Concentrating the fluid through evaporation:
ii. Aerating the fluid so that microbial fauna would be affected to the detriment of obligatory ;
iii. Heating up the fluid by exposure to sunshine.
b. Bubble-blowing is a symptom of a common fly illness.
c. Bubble blowing is a defensive move. Some insects use regurgitated food as a weapon. They try to spread the sticky, noxious liquid over the attacker.
d. Flies do blow bubbles to clean their mouthparts with this fluid, more or less to flush them, and after they are ready they ingest the fluid again.
e. Flies can use bubbling for cooling of overheated body – thermoregulation.
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