Why do house flies not fly straight and go zig-zag? They make it too difficult for us to spray them!?

Question

Also why do they make a buzzing noise while flying?

I can see the defence advantage of zig-zag flying, but not for house flies that live indoors. As for the buzzing noise is that not a disadvantage?

I note that replies so far have not mentioned any evolutionary advantage for the buzzing noise. What about it.

Answer 1

The buzzing is due to the fly's need to beat its wings very fast to be able to fly. They are simply beating so fast that the buzz is created. You will also notice buzzing sounds from all other animals that beat their wings fast (bees, wasps, hummingbirds, etc). It is not really an evolutionary adaptation, and IS disadvantageous for the fly. Some fly predators (and all humans) pick up on the buzz while they are flying and go after them, sometimes eating the fly, other times lay eggs on the flies so their young have a sure meal.

As for the zigzag pattern of flight, it is because they are deliberately trying to avoid you. A fly will fly in a stright line if it perceives that there is no threat to it around. However, a fly's senses are so senstitve (touch, smell, and sight in particular) that almost any attempt by a human to surprise them is immediately detected, and the fly darts off in the zigzag pattern.

Answer 2

They zig-zag because they are trying to sniff around to find food, a mate or to find a place for their eggs. They fly side to side to try to determine where the scent is coming from and will fly toward s the greater chemical concentration. The buzzing is a side effect of their wings flapping. Most predators that hunt flies hunt by sight or by using webs in the case of spiders. So, the buzzing is only a disadvantage for flies when they wander indoors and attract the attention of humans.

Answer 3

I think I see the problem. They just don't understand that you are trying to kill them. The flies are making it too hard for you.

For one, then, be thankful for the buzzing. Stupid flies can't sneak up on you, so, as long as you are fast on the trigger, you got - em! By the way, the buzzing comes out of the mechanics of flying. Flying noisily to find food, or walking quietly, hoping to bump into some food. Which is a better survival trait?

If you can either, convince the fly to fly straighter, or train it to do so, then don't spray. It's bad for the environment. Convince or train it to fly straight out the front door. Train it to fly repeatedly into the swatter. You can determine where it will fly, and place a trap in its path. Train it to carry messages to your friends, or diseases to your enemies. Perhaps you can get a government grant for that last one.

Let us know how it turns out.

Answer 4

Flies can't see a long distance so they must make constant course corrections as they fly. This makes their flight path a bit erratic. The buzzing sound is just caused by the speed of their flapping wings. Small flies don't buzz because their wings don't cause so much turbulence as they fly.

Answer 5

Try this. It really works. Put a clump of white sugar on a window seal edge. Put a clear glass over the sugar clump with an opening to the glass over the edge of the window seal, so the fly can fly INTO it. Once the fly gets INTO the glass, it can't find the way back out! Then you can take it and do whatever you want to with it!!

Answer 6

Their flight pattern actually aids in killing them. If you watch a fly in a warm room you will note after a while that they tend to fly in a rather repetative pattern in the most central area of a room. Aproach very slowly with a fly swatter in ready position then just watch. After your mind has observed for a while you will anticipate their turns enough to be able to swat the fly in mid air. Try it. Or even just give it a quick squirt with the bug spray. It'll be enough for it to go off and die somewhere.

Answer 7

LOL!

I think we must have already killed off all the flies that flew straight because they were easy targets! An example of evolution in action.

They probably buzz when they fly because they know it irritates you. Seriously, it is because of their wings hitting againt other body parts at a high frequency.

Answer 8

Flies fly zig zags for a reason their listening to is mind-blowing so a twin of human beings who bypass their heads to the rythem of the song so do the flys . turn off your song and also you'll see how streight they fly.

Answer 9

Maybe they fly zig-zag *because* that makes them a harder target. The ones that don't get sprayed or swatted reproduce and pass on the genes for zig-zag flying.

Answer 10

flies have those huge compound eyes which probably make it hard for them to see straight. as for the buzzing mayb its their wings and they cant help it