Evolution, or more poperly natural selection, says that a behavior must confer an advantage. I see no advantage in this behavior because it limits the food supply.
2006-09-18 14:44:12 · 11 answers · asked by traveler01983 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
None of the answers that I've read answer the implied question of why does a maggot stop eating when it comes to healthy tissue?
2006-09-18 14:54:37 · update #1
Maggots are used medicinally to clean up wound etc. The medical establishment would not use a creature that might harm a patient.
2006-09-18 14:57:38 · update #2
Why do bowflies strave on healthy? That is the answer that I am seeking.
2006-09-18 15:25:34 · update #3
There's no need to call it an evolutionary reason, but a maggot attacking living tissue is likely to trigger a defensive reaction. It benefits from the preliminary breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones started by bacteria. It gets a nest, warmed by decay, surrounded by food, where it can grow. Nice life if you like the neighborhood. It's also just one part of the greater economy of the cycle of life. Most likely, if they weren't there, the total system wouldn't function as well.
2006-09-18 18:04:26 · answer #1 · answered by Frank N 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dead And Decaying Flesh
2017-01-15 06:04:53 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Evolution made the maggots but people picked out the characteristics for medicine.
Quote:
"Maggot methodology
Not just any fly larvae can be used to treat infections, though. Some species of larvae can be detrimental to the wounds of patients. For that reason, doctors prefer to use Lucilia sericata, or greenbottle blowfly larvae. Blowfly larvae eat only dead tissue and starve on healthy tissue, making them ideal for medicinal use."
2006-09-18 15:18:12 · answer #3 · answered by Yeti J 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Healthy or living tissue probably contains enzymes that may be toxic to the maggots. Also, dead or decaying flesh is, in a sense, "predigested", so the maggot's digestive system can be simpler.
2006-09-18 15:45:48 · answer #4 · answered by stevewbcanada 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Not when you consider how they are brought to the decaying matter. Flys. In abundance & hey something has to eat the dead.. I don't want to!!
Let flys land on you and grow maggots in your decaying flesh if you ever get hurt and don't have access to medical supplies, its natures' best wound cleaner!!!
2006-09-18 14:51:21 · answer #5 · answered by Brendan R 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The advantage to eating dead prey is it won't fight. For an organism like a maggot, with no defenses, that's a big advantage.
2006-09-18 14:47:20 · answer #6 · answered by Jim H 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hi. The parent deposits the eggs from which the larva develop onto their food. Maggots are not very good hunters.
2006-09-18 14:47:19 · answer #7 · answered by Cirric 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
evolution is a necessity thing. there is plenty of dead decaying flesh around so they don't need to evolve out of that mode of sustenance. they have been that way for millions of years and i doubt they are going to move much further due to the fact that death and decay are such a constant.
2006-09-18 14:48:36 · answer #8 · answered by insertnamehere 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maggots don't have legs with which to chase their dinner.
What'cha gonna eat? Somethin' that can't get up and run away!
2006-09-18 14:50:35 · answer #9 · answered by Danny 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is an endless supply of dead things.
2006-09-18 14:49:29 · answer #10 · answered by Pseudo Obscure 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋