ENT 532 Fall 2024: Fly On Leaf Observations
Photos and sketches of a fly I observed hanging out on a leaf. Located outside the Architecture Building at Penn State. The fly was found near a water tower surrounded by various flora (09/25/2024).
My observations:
6:30pm: Currently there is a light drizzle and the sky is clouded over. The fly sits perched on a leaf, the body hanging diagonal to the leaf with the abdomen hanging below and the head poking above. Its body is facing upwards towards the sky, a raindrop sitting on its eye. I see that the legs have little spikes, what I assume to be the fly's sensilla. It seems to struggle to change position, occasionally moving its legs but not its body. I wonder if it got caught trying to escape the rain? Before I attempt to collect it, I see that the fly appears to pull itself free, and begins moving along the leaf, though with difficulty. As I collect it, I wonder what enabled the fly to be able to pull itself free? Are some flies more efficient at getting unstuck than others? I would think so, but what traits help aid one fly from freeing itself, and hinder another?