Why Flies are So Hard to Swat

Why are flies so hard to swat? Professor Michael Dickinson of Caltech, who spent two decades studying the neurobiology and biomechanics of locomotion in the annoying bugs (for real!) knew the answer:

He took high-speed digital video of fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) when faced with a swatter, revealing how the creature's pinpoint sized brain is hard wired to turn the looming shadow into an appropriate pattern of leg and body motion to prime it for a speedy getaway.

Long before the fly leaps, its tiny brain calculates the location of the impending threat, comes up with an escape plan, and plonks its legs in an optimal position to hop out of the way in the opposite direction.

All of this is executed within about 100 thousandths of a second after the fly first spots the swatter, says the study in the journal Current Biology with graduate student Gwyneth Card.

Prof Dickinson also revealed the scientific way to improve your success rate in swatting flies. The video clip of the fly avoiding the swatter is strangely mesmerizing: Link (the clip automatically started in my browser, be forewarned)


Newest 5
Newest 5 Comments

You can easily kill fly with Fly Swatter pro. This new swatter is base on a study of a horses tail but it kill fly instead of shoo it away.This is much better then the old fancy kind that the professor was using. There is a web site if you search for Fly Swatter pro try one for yourself.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
The best way that I've found to swat a fly is to wait until it lands and put your hands about eight inches apart above and behind the fly. When you clap your hands together, the fly will be between them.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
I agree with Johnny except I don't go 3 inches above.
I work in a bakery and the sugar atrracts flies through the pick-up window. I squashe dthree flies with my bare hands yesterday. (and then I washed my hands)

P.S. I was sitting down and I looked at the comment box from a steep angle. There's a Neatorama astronaut telling you to be nice only visible from this angle. Has anyone seen this?
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Login to comment.
Email This Post to a Friend
"Why Flies are So Hard to Swat"

Separate multiple emails with a comma. Limit 5.

 

Success! Your email has been sent!

close window
X

This website uses cookies.

This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using this website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

I agree
 
Learn More