<p>Researchers at Aberystwyth University's Department of Life Sciences have discovered that biting flies are strongly drawn to blue objects because they mistake the colour for potential hosts they can feed on.&nbsp;This finding could have significant implications for controlling diseases transmitted by flies, such as sleeping sickness, by enhancing the effectiveness of traps.</p>

<p>Dr. Roger Santer, the lead researcher, explained that entomological field studies have long observed flies' attraction to the colour blue, leading to the creation of traps in that particular hue.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>However, the reason why biting flies are particularly attracted to blue has puzzled scientists. Previous theories suggested that flies were drawn to blue due to its resemblance to shady areas or animals, but these had not been conclusively proven.</p>

<h2><strong>Artificial neural networks shed light</strong></h2>

<p>To address the question, the research team developed artificial neural networks that mimicked the visual processing in the fly's brain, specifically those of tsetse, stable, and horse flies.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>The networks were trained to distinguish animals from leaf backgrounds and shaded from unshaded surfaces using the responses of the fly's five types of photoreceptor cells.&nbsp;</p>

<p>They were then tested to classify blue flytraps.</p>

<h2><strong>Surprising results</strong></h2>

<p>Published in the Proceedings of Royal Society B, the peer-reviewed study's results challenged the theory that flies perceive blue as shade.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The neural networks successfully detected shade through brightness, without misclassifying blue objects as shade.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, when it came to recognising animals, the networks compared the responses of blue and green-sensitive photoreceptors and frequently mistook blue traps for animals.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Concert economics explained: The craze for high-profile concerts</strong></p>

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<p>This led the researchers to conclude that blue objects, including traps, resemble potential hosts to flies.</p>

<h2><strong>Implications for disease control</strong></h2>

<p>Dr. Santer said that understanding the mechanisms behind flies' attraction to colored traps could lead to improved trap designs that more efficiently catch flies.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This is of utmost importance since different species of biting flies spread diseases among humans and animals. Fly control plays a crucial role in disease control efforts.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Diseases like human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), which is fatal without treatment and prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, and the globally destructive stable fly could benefit from this research.</p>

<h2><strong>Field experiments support findings</strong></h2>

<p>Field experiments have further supported the team's conclusions. Tsetse flies captured in blue traps tend to show signs of not having recently fed, indicating their active search for hosts.</p>

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Researchers at Aberystwyth University's Department of Life Sciences have discovered that biting flies are strongly drawn to blue objects because they mistake the colour for potential hosts they can feed on.

Researchers at Aberystwyth University's Department of Life Sciences have discovered that biting flies are strongly drawn to blue objects because they mistake the colour for potential hosts they can feed on. This finding could have significant implications for controlling diseases transmitted by flies, such as sleeping sickness, by enhancing the effectiveness of traps. Dr. Roger Santer, the lead researcher, explained that entomological field studies have long observed flies' attraction to the colour blue, leading to the creation of traps in that particular hue. Also Read | India: Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter safety flaws addressed, says report However, the reason why biting flies are particularly attracted to blue has puzzled scientists. Previous theories suggested that flies were drawn to blue due to its resemblance to shady areas or animals, but these had not been conclusively proven. Artificial neural networks shed light To address the question, the research team developed artificial neural networks that mimicked the visual processing in the fly's brain, specifically those of tsetse, stable, and horse flies. Also Read | Sweden police allow Quran burning protest outside Stockholm’s main mosque The networks were trained to distinguish animals from leaf backgrounds and shaded from unshaded surfaces using the responses of the fly's five types of photoreceptor cells. They were then tested to classify blue flytraps. Surprising results Published in the Proceedings of Royal Society B, the peer-reviewed study's results challenged the theory that flies perceive blue as shade. The neural networks successfully detected shade through brightness, without misclassifying blue objects as shade. However, when it came to recognising animals, the networks compared the responses of blue and green-sensitive photoreceptors and frequently mistook blue traps for animals. Watch | Concert economics explained: The craze for high-profile concerts × This led the researchers to conclude that blue objects, including traps, resemble potential hosts to flies. Implications for disease control Dr. Santer said that understanding the mechanisms behind flies' attraction to colored traps could lead to improved trap designs that more efficiently catch flies. This is of utmost importance since different species of biting flies spread diseases among humans and animals. Fly control plays a crucial role in disease control efforts. Diseases like human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), which is fatal without treatment and prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, and the globally destructive stable fly could benefit from this research. Field experiments support findings Field experiments have further supported the team's conclusions. Tsetse flies captured in blue traps tend to show signs of not having recently fed, indicating their active search for hosts. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Why biting flies are attracted to blue objects? Unraveling the mystery

<p>The last thing we needed in 2020 was zombie flies, but in pure 2020 fashion we have got it! Two new species of fungi that infect flies and then eject spores from the abdomen have been found in Denmark.</p>

<p>Reportedly, the spores are ejected like small rockets from the fly’s body. The two new species of fungi survive on their hosts, until it dies.</p>

<p>“Strongwellsea tigrinae”&nbsp;and&nbsp;“Strongwellsea acerosa” can be found in only two species of the Danish fly - “Coenosia tigrina”&nbsp;and&nbsp;“Coenosia testacea”, researchers at the University of Copenhagen claim.</p>

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<p>Most fungi undertake the sporing process after the host is dead, but these two peculiar types continue to live for days. Its host, totally unaware of what is happening continues to mingle with other flies. However, the fungus then starts consuming its genitals, followed by its fat reserves. Over time, it then absorbs its reproductive organs followed by muscle.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While all this is happening, the fungus continues to shoot out spores, in a bid to continue infecting flies. Fast forward to a few days later - the infected fly now lies on its back, spasms for a few hours, and then dies.</p>

<p>It’s unusual to keep the host alive while releasing spores, and is called active host transmission (AHT). Scientists believe it is effective in finding future hosts.</p>

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<p>But it gets more uncanny, for scientists believe that the fungi produces doping substances which essentially turn their hosts into zombie - allowing them to live as the fungus feeds on their insides, one by one.</p>

<p>The researched was undertaken by the University of Copenhagen in collaboration with the Natural History Museum of Denmark, and was published in the Journal of Invertebrate Pathology.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/20-new-species-discovered-in-zongo-valley-of-bolivia-349732" hreflang="en">20 new species discovered in Zongo Valley of Bolivia</a></p>

<p>In a healthy fly population, only 3 to 5 per cent are infected. The problem is with the identification of infection, as the host shows no direct signs.</p>


The last thing we needed in 2020 was zombie flies, but in pure 2020 fashion we have got it! Two new species of fungi that infect flies and then eject spores from the abdomen have been found in Denmark.

The last thing we needed in 2020 was zombie flies, but in pure 2020 fashion we have got it! Two new species of fungi that infect flies and then eject spores from the abdomen have been found in Denmark. Reportedly, the spores are ejected like small rockets from the fly’s body. The two new species of fungi survive on their hosts, until it dies. “Strongwellsea tigrinae” and “Strongwellsea acerosa” can be found in only two species of the Danish fly - “Coenosia tigrina” and “Coenosia testacea”, researchers at the University of Copenhagen claim. Also read: A dinosaur with 'hair' and 'ribbons' leaves researchers intrigued Most fungi undertake the sporing process after the host is dead, but these two peculiar types continue to live for days. Its host, totally unaware of what is happening continues to mingle with other flies. However, the fungus then starts consuming its genitals, followed by its fat reserves. Over time, it then absorbs its reproductive organs followed by muscle. While all this is happening, the fungus continues to shoot out spores, in a bid to continue infecting flies. Fast forward to a few days later - the infected fly now lies on its back, spasms for a few hours, and then dies. It’s unusual to keep the host alive while releasing spores, and is called active host transmission (AHT). Scientists believe it is effective in finding future hosts. Also read: Beer can camera captures longest-exposure photograph ever - by coincidence! But it gets more uncanny, for scientists believe that the fungi produces doping substances which essentially turn their hosts into zombie - allowing them to live as the fungus feeds on their insides, one by one. The researched was undertaken by the University of Copenhagen in collaboration with the Natural History Museum of Denmark, and was published in the Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. Also read: 20 new species discovered in Zongo Valley of Bolivia In a healthy fly population, only 3 to 5 per cent are infected. The problem is with the identification of infection, as the host shows no direct signs.

'Zombie flies' discovered by scientists in Denmark

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