Serpo
24th November 2013, 02:06 AM
http://now.msn.com/goniurellia-tridens-fruit-fly-has-pictures-of-ants-on-its-wings
http://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/AR-3072899801.jpg
A recently discovered G tridens fruitfly that has evolved a to have images of detailed, ant-like insects on each wing, complete with six legs, a thorax, antennae and a tapered abdomen. The fly uses the images defensively, waving them back and forth when threatened to create the illusion of massing ants. Many G Tridens varieties bear elaborate wing markings, but this one, discovered in Oman (http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/science/fruit-fly-with-the-wings-of-beauty#ixzz2jhxlLGaH), is very striking. I think more beasties should have van-art bestowed on them by the strange world of evolution.
Dr Howarth first saw G tridens on an oleander shrub in northern Oman. "I was looking at the stem of the leaves and I noticed that there were some insects crawling around. When I sort of honed in I started to notice what I thought was a couple of ants moving around."
At first she suspected an infe
station on the fly's wings. "But it was so symmetrical that I thought, 'oh this is not possible'. When I got it under the microscope I realised that these were insects painted onto the wings."
In contrast to its wings and brilliant green eyes, the fly's body is a dull greenish grey - "almost cryptically coloured," says Dr Howarth - that blends into the leaves where it is found.
When threatened, the fly flashes its wings to give the appearance of ants walking back and forth. The predator gets confused and the fly zips off.
http://boingboing.net/2013/11/08/fruitfly-evolved-pictures-of-a.html
http://blu.stb.s-msn.com/i/ED/27D1F910302CA678B7145724ED76A_h316_w628_m5_cOdHsst OU.jpg This crazy fruit flycarries its own set of wingmen — literally 11/10/2013 Look who's the coolest kid of the insect world. It's the Goniurellia tridens fruit fly, and it's all because of the images of ants that appear to adorn its wings. OK, appear nothing. Those are six legs and two attenae and all the other attributes of the common creeper. It's either evolutionary art, Mother Nature's idea of a tattoo or custom detailing. Various theories have been floated to account for the pattern — that it's to ward off predators (who are scared of ants?) or even as a way to hook up with lady fruit flies. Peacock flies with colorful markings are hardly uncommon — which is why a few scientists think our minds see something that's not there, a Jesus'-face-in-a-piece-of-toast moment. Nevertheless, Dr. Brigitte Howarth, a fly specialist who first discovered the species marveled that "the image on the wing is absolutely perfect." And way cool
http://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/AR-3072899801.jpg
A recently discovered G tridens fruitfly that has evolved a to have images of detailed, ant-like insects on each wing, complete with six legs, a thorax, antennae and a tapered abdomen. The fly uses the images defensively, waving them back and forth when threatened to create the illusion of massing ants. Many G Tridens varieties bear elaborate wing markings, but this one, discovered in Oman (http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/science/fruit-fly-with-the-wings-of-beauty#ixzz2jhxlLGaH), is very striking. I think more beasties should have van-art bestowed on them by the strange world of evolution.
Dr Howarth first saw G tridens on an oleander shrub in northern Oman. "I was looking at the stem of the leaves and I noticed that there were some insects crawling around. When I sort of honed in I started to notice what I thought was a couple of ants moving around."
At first she suspected an infe
station on the fly's wings. "But it was so symmetrical that I thought, 'oh this is not possible'. When I got it under the microscope I realised that these were insects painted onto the wings."
In contrast to its wings and brilliant green eyes, the fly's body is a dull greenish grey - "almost cryptically coloured," says Dr Howarth - that blends into the leaves where it is found.
When threatened, the fly flashes its wings to give the appearance of ants walking back and forth. The predator gets confused and the fly zips off.
http://boingboing.net/2013/11/08/fruitfly-evolved-pictures-of-a.html
http://blu.stb.s-msn.com/i/ED/27D1F910302CA678B7145724ED76A_h316_w628_m5_cOdHsst OU.jpg This crazy fruit flycarries its own set of wingmen — literally 11/10/2013 Look who's the coolest kid of the insect world. It's the Goniurellia tridens fruit fly, and it's all because of the images of ants that appear to adorn its wings. OK, appear nothing. Those are six legs and two attenae and all the other attributes of the common creeper. It's either evolutionary art, Mother Nature's idea of a tattoo or custom detailing. Various theories have been floated to account for the pattern — that it's to ward off predators (who are scared of ants?) or even as a way to hook up with lady fruit flies. Peacock flies with colorful markings are hardly uncommon — which is why a few scientists think our minds see something that's not there, a Jesus'-face-in-a-piece-of-toast moment. Nevertheless, Dr. Brigitte Howarth, a fly specialist who first discovered the species marveled that "the image on the wing is absolutely perfect." And way cool