Flies are probably better at picking up than you are
About this episode
This episode explores the rhythmic and choreographed movements of flies and their implications for mating and social interactions.
Flies have rhythm and choreography, could their moves make the next TikTok dance fad? Dune flies groove to their own beat in dance-circles and hoverflies use rhythmic movements in mating. Researchers found the dancing dune fly’s repertoire has specific moves for impressing a female and others for rival dance battles. Pretty fly for a dune fly. In Costa Rica the male red hoverfly rhythmically squeezes and strokes his mate during copulation. They also have a pattern of coupling and uncoupling as many as 17 times during the act! Featuring: Dr Keith Bayless, research scientist, National Research Collections Australia, CSIRO Professor William Eberhard, emeritus scientist, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute; emeritus professor, Universidad de Costa Rica Further reading: Genital behaviour in Menidon falcatus (Diptera, Syrphidae) and the possible significance of repeated, rhythmic movements Courtship choreography is stabilized among genetically isolated populations Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Rebecca McLaren, Producer Tegan Nicholls, Sound Engineer This episode of What the Duck?! was recorded on Ngunnawal Country and produced on the lands of the Wadawarrung and…
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