Skip to main content
Log in

Chasing behaviour of houseflies (Fannia canicularis)

A description and analysis

  • Published:
Journal of comparative physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

  1. 1.

    Chases in which male flies (Fannia canicularis) pursue other flies were studied by filming such encounters from directly below. Males will start to chase whenever a second fly comes within 10–15 cm (Fig. 3).

  2. 2.

    Throughout these chases there was a continuous relationship between the angle (θ e ) made by the leading fly and the direction of flight of the chasing fly, and the angular velocity of the chasing fly (ω f ). This relation was approximately linear, with a slope of 20 ° s−1 per degree θ e (Figs. 4–7).

  3. 3.

    The maximum correlation between ω f and θite occurs after a lag of approximately 30 ms, which represents the total delay in the system (Fig. 8).

  4. 4.

    In the region close to the chasing fly's axis (θite less than about 35 °) a second mechanism exists in which the angular velocity of the chasing fly (ω f ) is controlled by the relative angular velocity of the leading fly (ω e ), rather than its relative position. The ratio of ω f to ω e in this region is approximately 0.7.

  5. 5.

    Using the results in 2–4 above, and an empirically determined relation between the angular and forward velocities of the chasing fly, it was possible to simulate the flight path of the chasing fly, given that of the leading fly (Fig. 11). Because these simulations predict correctly the manoeuvres and outcomes of quite complicated chases, it is concluded that the control system actually used by the fly is accurately described by conclusions 2–4.

  6. 6.

    The physiological implications of this behaviour, and the possible function of chasing, are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Autrum, H.: Die Belichtungspotentiale und das Sehen der Insekten (Untersuchungen anCalliphora undDixippus). Z. vergl. Physiol.32, 176–227 (1950)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bishop, L. G., Keehn, D. G., McCann, G. D.: Studies of motion detection by interneurones of the optic lobes and brain of the fliesCalliphora phaenicia andMusca domestica. J. Neurophysiol.31, 509–525 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Collett, T.: Visual neurones for tracking moving targets. Nature (Lond.)232, 127–130 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Collett, T.: Visual neurones in the anterior optic tract of the privet hawk moth. J. comp. Physiol.78, 396–433 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Colyer, C. N., Hammond, C. O.: Flies of the British Isles. London: Warne 1951

    Google Scholar 

  • Faust, R.: Untersuchungen zum Halterenproblem. Zool. Jb., Allg. Zool. Physiol.63, 325–366 (1952)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fermi, G., Reichardt, W.: Optomotorische Reaktionen der FliegeMusca domestica. Kybernetik2, 15–28 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  • Heide, G.: Flugsteuerung durch nicht-fibrilläre Flugmuskeln bei der SchmeißfliegeCalliphora. Z. vergl. Physiol.59, 456–460 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • McCann, G. D., Dill, J. C.: Fundamental properties of intensity, form and motion perception in the visual nervous systems ofCalliphora phaenicia andMusca domestica. J. gen. Physiol.53, 385–413 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • McCann, G. D., Foster, S. F.: Binocular interactions of motion detection fibers in the optic lobes of flies. Kybernetik8, 193–203 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mulloney, B.: Interneurones in the central nervous system of flies and the start of flight. Z. vergl. Physiol.64, 243–253 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nachtigall, W., Wilson, D. M.: Neuromuscular control of dipteran flight. J. exp. Biol.47, 77–97 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Poggio, T., Reichardt, W.: A theory of pattern induced flight orientation of the flyMusca domestica. Kybernetik12, 185–203 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Reichardt, W.: Musterinduzierte Flugorientierung der FliegeMusca domestica. Naturwissenschaften60, 122–138 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Richards, O. W.: Sexual selection and allied problems in insects. Biol. Rev.2, 298–364 (1927)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

We are very grateful to Alan King, Peter Slater and John Maynard Smith for critically reading the manuscript. This work was supported by a grant from the Science Research Council of the U.K.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Land, M.F., Collett, T.S. Chasing behaviour of houseflies (Fannia canicularis). J. Comp. Physiol. 89, 331–357 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00695351

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00695351

Keywords

Navigation