A recent study published in Open Biology reports that exposure to intense light almost instantly provokes courtship behavior in male fruit flies (Drosophila). Surprisingly, the researchers observed both male-male and male-female courtship behavior under these conditions. While male-male courtship behavior among fruit flies is not a new discovery, the findings of this study suggest that intense light exposure specifically precipitates it.
Light-evoked male–male courtship behavior in Drosophila. Schematic drawing of the behavioral arena, LED strip lighting and webcam configuration. Eight males were loaded into each of the four circular behavioral arenas . An LED strip surrounding the arenas illuminated fly behavior with minimal shadowing, and a webcam above recorded activity. Intense light triggers male–male courtship behaviors including chase , as well as chain and wing extensions .
Beginning with flies in male-only groups, the researchers measured their activity under varying light intensities, beginning with an exposure time of two minutes at 0.4 kilolux , then increasing to 18 klx for another two minutes, and then another two minutes at 0.4 klx. To test the effects of non-LED light sources, they also ran similar tests using incandescent light at a peak intensity of 25 klx and sunlight at a peak of 90 klx.
The flies also produced male-male courtship songs with features similar to those of songs produced during male-female courtship. The research notes a relationship between song production and wing extension induced by light.
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