Flightless fruit flies (Order Diptera) encompass a variety of different species of fly, such as Drosophila melanogaster, Bactrocera cucurbitae, Bactrocera dorsalis, and Drosophila hydei, with genetic mutations that cause them to be flightless.[1] These genetic mutations may have different results such as the development of muscles that cannot support flight or even result in the lack of wings entirely.[2] Flightless fly models have been especially useful for the study of human neuromuscular diseases such as spinal muscular atrophy, spinobulbar muscular atrophy, myotonic dystrophy, dystrophinopathies and other inherited neuromuscular diseases.[3][4] Applications of flightless flies are extremely varied, even being used as test subjects in aeronautical research.[5]

Uses for feeding pets

Other applications of flightless flies include using them as convenient feeders for a variety of companion animals, usually small reptiles such as geckos,[6] being highly versatile due to their small size.[7] Fruit flies are a useful source of protein for captive ant colonies. They can be fed to a colony dead or alive and whilst they are best used for small colonies, fruit flies can also be given to larger ones.[8]

References

  1. ↑ Lloyd, T. E. and Taylor, J. P. (2010), Flightless flies: Drosophila models of neuromuscular disease. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1184: E1–E20. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2010.05432.x
  2. ↑ McCOMBS, SUSAN D.; SAUL, STEPHEN H. Flightless Mutants in the Melon Fly and Oriental Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) and Their Possible Role in the Sterile Insect Release Method. Annals of the Entomological Society of America, Volume 85, Number 3, May 1992, pp. 344-347(4)
  3. ↑ Rajendra, T.K. et al . 2007. A Drosophila melanogaster model of spinal muscular atrophy reveals a function for SMN in striated muscle. J. Cell Biol. 176: 831–841.
  4. ↑ Bloomquist, J. R. and Miller, T. A. (1986), Neural correlates of flight activation and escape behavior in houseflies recovering from pyrethroid poisoning. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol., 3: 551–559. doi: 10.1002/arch.940030606.
  5. ↑ Kathy Barnstorff. "FRUIT FLIES IMPROVING FLIGHT." 15 May 2013 NASA. Web 30 May 2013.
  6. ↑ "ALL ABOUT FLIGHTLESS FRUIT FLIES." The Fruit Fly Shop. Web 29 May 2013.
  7. ↑ Keeper, Insect (2021-03-18). "Breeding Fruit Flies at Home: The Complete Guide". Insect Keeper. Retrieved 2023-02-27.
  8. ↑ "Home". antscanada.com.
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