I have watched and photographed many different fly species blowing bubbles. Well technically not bubbles- just drops from the end of their tongue which they then suck in again. My current record for the numer of consecutive drops is 11 and the biggest drop was about 2mm in size. Colour ranges from colourless through to dark coffee coloured. Some of the drops even have gas bubbles in.
Does anyone know why they do this?
Only theory I've heard of is "as an aid to digestion".
Interestingly when they do this the flies stay very still and seem to concentrate on what they are doing- they are easier to take pics of.
Attached pic of what I think is Scatophaga stercoria doing this.
Brian V.
No better suggestions yet and I have not yet taken/found time to investigate further.
Posted by LordV on 22-11-2005 10:22
#3
Thanks Paul,
Should have searched first!
Anyone else have any views?
Brian V.
Posted by LordV on 26-11-2005 08:13
#4
New theory on this behaviour. Over the last few cold bright days (air temp around 3-6'C) Every time the sun has actually been bright, I've found all the Scatphaga on one bush in the bright sun were bubbleblowing (around 3-4 of them). I don't normally see bubble blowing at that high frequency. Wonder if it's a way of warming up faster by letting the drop warm up in the sun and then sucking it back in again. Another reason for wondering this is normally flies seem to to sunbathe with their back to the sun (ie head away from the sun), whilst when they are bubble blowing they always seem to be facing the sun or at least at right angles to it, so the bubble is getting full sun.
Brian V.
Edited by LordV on 27-11-2005 08:20
Posted by Andre on 26-11-2005 14:20
#5
A remarkable new theory, that does sound quite convincing!
Suggestion to everybody: everytime you see a fly acting like this, note the time of day, temperature, sunshine, position of fly towards sun etcetera. Which families/genera are acting like this....
Very nice :p
Posted by LordV on 27-11-2005 08:18
#6
Thanks for the idea support Andre, only downside of this idea was the danger of the flies setting themselves on fire from the lensing effect of the drops :D
Only other theory I could think of was that they were aerating their stomach contents to allow aerobic bacterial digestion, but this would not explain the high frequency of observation in cold weather/ bright sun, mind you I'm not sure how much or whether a drop would warm up in the sun.
Brian V.
Posted by Paul Beuk on 27-11-2005 10:05
#7
Warming up the bubble could also increase the rate of digestion...
Posted by LordV on 27-11-2005 10:31
#8
Paul Beuk wrote:
Warming up the bubble could also increase the rate of digestion...
Very true- still a concept of warming involved.
Brian V.
Posted by Gerard Pennards on 27-11-2005 12:57
#9
Dear all,
The new theory about the warming sounds perfect, but as always there are exceptions to this. Look at this picture of a buubling fly (Muscidae) that I took in Germany, near to Muenster. It is from the 30th of october this year. The fly is sitting on a treetrunk, but it is not facing the sun! It was sitting on a part that was out of the sun, which was shining at the moment.
Greetings,
Gerard
Posted by Nikita Vikhrev on 27-11-2005 13:52
#10
I have to say, that I absolutly agree with Paul's theory. This theory has all appearence of correct theory, bieng NESSESARY and ENOUGHT.
Otherwise we have the problem to explain not only this Gerard's image, but as well the fact that Dragonflies (very warm-loving group) do not bubling, for example.
Licking-sucking mouseparts in imago and complet reducing mouseparts in larva lead to external digestion in varios ways. So Diptera bubling. Other insecta do not evolve to external digestion and do not bubling.
Nikita
Posted by Gerard Pennards on 27-11-2005 15:13
#11
Another idea might be that the flies do this to clean their mouthparts with this fluid, more or less to flush them, and after they are ready they ingest the fluid again!
Greetings,
Gerard
Posted by Ben Hamers on 27-11-2005 20:11
#12
To make it a little more complicated : I have seen bees bubbling too !?
Ben
Posted by Andre on 27-11-2005 20:13
#13
In the light of evolution, it is very well possible that certain diptera-groups (probably closely related to eachother) have developed this behaviour. It could be a mix of reasons. Or the main reason may be digestion, with an extra opportunity to control bodytemperature.
To get a better idea of this, best we can do is to make solid observations in the field, like I suggested above.
Posted by Andre on 27-11-2005 20:17
#14
Ben Hamers wrote:
To make it a little more complicated : I have seen bees bubbling too !?
Ben
This could bring up the question: does diet have anything to do with it? Like a diet of farina (= starch?).
In what time of year have you seen bees (which species?) doing this?
Posted by Paul Beuk on 27-11-2005 20:37
#15
Andre wrote:
In the light of evolution, it is very well possible that certain diptera-groups (probably closely related to eachother) have developed this behaviour. It could be a mix of reasons. Or the main reason may be digestion, with an extra opportunity to control bodytemperature.
To get a better idea of this, best we can do is to make solid observations in the field, like I suggested above.
I know that both calyptrates and acalyptrates can 'do the bubble'. I cannot recall any orthorrhaphous brachycera and even deep searching my mind I do not recall having seen syrphids do it.
I think it may simply also have to do with the structure of the mouth parts that enable the flies to bubble or not. And that, in its turn, is determined by evolution, as related taxa probably have the same kind of mouth parts, unless evolution took the a step further.
Posted by Kahis on 27-11-2005 21:21
#16
My take: it's a defensive move. At least grasshoppers and some sawfly larvae use regurgitated food as a weapon. They try to spread the sticky, noxious liquid over the attacker. Flies to often regurgitate when caught or disturbed, which makes me think they may be using a similar defensive strategy.
Jere
Edited by Kahis on 27-11-2005 21:21
Posted by Ben Hamers on 27-11-2005 21:38
#17
Here is a picture from 07-07-05.
It is a male Hylaeus communis (det. Ch. Schmid-Egger)
Edited by Ben Hamers on 15-05-2006 18:29
Posted by Paul Beuk on 27-11-2005 22:31
#18
Kahis wrote:
My take: it's a defensive move. At least grasshoppers and some sawfly larvae use regurgitated food as a weapon.
I have not really noticed it in 'true' flies but in some Nematocera. Since many of the flies observed when blowing bubbles are at rest, I do not think defence will be the major explanation, though I will not rule it out.
Posted by LordV on 28-11-2005 09:08
#19
Kahis wrote:
My take: it's a defensive move. At least grasshoppers and some sawfly larvae use regurgitated food as a weapon. They try to spread the sticky, noxious liquid over the attacker. Flies to often regurgitate when caught or disturbed, which makes me think they may be using a similar defensive strategy.
Jere
Agree with Paul on this, my observations of flies doing this leads me to believe they would actually be wide open to attack, as they are in fact much more approachable when occupied by bubble blowing- they seem to be concentrating so much on what they are doing they become slightly oblivious to the outside world. If true, this would also imply it is an important function because it would seem to have some risk associated with it.
Brian V.
Edited by LordV on 28-11-2005 09:17
Posted by LordV on 28-11-2005 14:42
#20
Ok just to shoot myself in the foot, spotted a Scatophaga stercoria bubble blowing this AM at an angle of about 120' from where the sun would have been if it was shining.
Maybe it's the IR radiation that's important :).
Posted by LordV on 29-11-2005 15:39
#21
Well this one was in the sun today air temp 5'C - equivalent of smoking?
Edited by LordV on 29-11-2005 16:19
Posted by lynkos on 29-11-2005 20:07
#22
:o Sarah
Posted by gardensafarinl on 04-02-2006 18:38
#23
Dear Members,
I am no expert on flies at all, but I do have pictures of a fly (don't know the species or genus) bubbling. It had been bubbling for quite some time, before we decided to make pictures of this behaviour. The pictures were taken on the 22nd of May from 12:54 to 12:59 and like I said the animal had been bubbling for some time already and at 13:00 it was still bubbling. The pictures were taken inside the house in a room with only one window, facing northwards. By the way: anyone any idea what fly this is?
Cheers,
Hans
Posted by Dima DD on 20-02-2006 00:32
#24
LordV wrote:
New theory on this behaviour. ...Wonder if it's a way of warming up faster by letting the drop warm up in the sun and then sucking it back in again. Another reason for wondering this is normally flies seem to to sunbathe with their back to the sun (ie head away from the sun), whilst when they are bubble blowing they always seem to be facing the sun or at least at right angles to it, so the bubble is getting full sun.
Brian V.
I can not say which hypothesis is correct. However, I would like to put some words about this branch. In fact, body of the fly is darker and absorbs much more radiation than shining droplet. Moreover, evaporation of water from the surface must decrease droplet temperature, not warm it. More intensive evaporation - less the droplet temperature. Therefore, according to this branch of hypotheses ("thermoregulative"...), fly can use bubbling for cooling of its overheated body (i.e. it is some kind of "perspiration" ).
Edited by Dima DD on 20-02-2006 18:21
Posted by LordV on 15-03-2006 18:20
#25
Tyhanks Dima.
Having seen some more flies doing this especially one where the bubble got very viscous and almost looked semi solid, I've reached the conclusion that the thermoregulation hypothesis is wrong. It is much more likely that they are doing the same as bees do and actually concentrating the contents by evaporation.
Brian V.
Posted by Kahis on 15-03-2006 20:50
#26
LordV wrote:
Tyhanks Dima.
Having seen some more flies doing this especially one where the bubble got very viscous and almost looked semi solid, I've reached the conclusion that the thermoregulation hypothesis is wrong. It is much more likely that they are doing the same as bees do and actually concentrating the contents by evaporation.
Brian V.
Hmm. I guess that is possible but it sounds like a terribly inefficient way of evaporating liquids. I'd guess absorbing water and allowing it to evaporate from the tracheal system (the lung equivalent) would be much faster. But perhaps insects have not invented this system yet;)
It's time for yet another hypothesis :) The food is exposed to air leading to modifications in it's chemical composition by oxygenation. This would also radically change the microbial fauna of the liquid as most bacteria of the alimentary canal are anaerobic and will quickly perish when exposed to the terrible poison gas called oxygen:D
Posted by conopid on 17-03-2006 19:09
#27
Just wanted to say that this is a great thread of discussion. I cannot add anything to the debate, but I will certainly be watching for bubble blowing flies in future!
Posted by Xespok on 17-03-2006 19:46
#28
Kahis wrote:
It's time for yet another hypothesis :) The food is exposed to air leading to modifications in it's chemical composition by oxygenation. This would also radically change the microbial fauna of the liquid as most bacteria of the alimentary canal are anaerobic and will quickly perish when exposed to the terrible poison gas called oxygen:D
A couple of remarks with this hypothesis:
Why would flies need aerobic processes for what most other organisms mostly use anaerobic processes. The fundamental problem with the aerobicity is that, like us aerobic organisms degrade the carbon source to CO2, and this is no longer use to the fly. Anaerobic organisms degrade the carbon source to small monomers, part of which they ferment to low Carbon acids and alcohols which can be further utilized.
I do not know how the digestion works in Arthropods, but I assume the same general principles apply that define the rules for us vertebratates.
That is exactly why regions of our gastrointestinal tract that might be aerobic (down to the beginning of the small intestines) contain normally a low amount of natural flora. (bad luck if you have ulcer).
Also the statement that anaerobic organisms quickly persih in aerobic conditons are very very far away from being true. In fact a very large fraction of the anaerobs show a hight degree of oxygen tolerance. Being aerob just means to be able to utilize oxygen as an electron acceptor while preserving energy. Being oxygen tolerant means that getting rid of oxygen costs extra energy. The resilience of the anerobic organisms of our gut to oxygen explains how these creatures travel from one individual to another, which inevitably involves spending time in aerobic niches.
Edited by Xespok on 17-03-2006 19:46
Posted by totipotent on 21-03-2006 04:18
#29
LordV wrote:
Ok just to shoot myself in the foot, spotted a Scatophaga stercoria bubble blowing this AM at an angle of about 120' from where the sun would have been if it was shining.
Maybe it's the IR radiation that's important :).
Dima DD wrote:
I can not say which hypothesis is correct. However, I would like to put some words about this branch. In fact, body of the fly is darker and absorbs much more radiation than shining droplet. Moreover, evaporation of water from the surface must decrease droplet temperature, not warm it. More intensive evaporation - less the droplet temperature. Therefore, according to this branch of hypotheses ("thermoregulative"...), fly can use bubbling for cooling of its overheated body (i.e. it is some kind of "perspiration" ).
If we are considering the fly's position to the sun (or wind) then we must consider that the angle may be a way that the fly can attenuate the evaporative cooling or bubble warming (whichever floats your boat).
Has anyone considered each fly's gender? LordV's image above only has the female (?) bubbling (=smoking)...
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is my first post...
Posted by LordV on 03-04-2006 21:04
#30
Sorry no new theories but I think the best shot I've managed yet of drop blowing- ever seen one with leaves in it?
The leaves are actually a refracted image of the variagated holly bush the fly was sitting in- and no it's not photoshopped.
Brian V.
Posted by Paul Beuk on 04-04-2006 08:22
#31
Excellent image!
Posted by LordV on 05-04-2006 07:38
#32
Thanks Paul. :)
Just as a thought does anyone know if fly regurgitant (is that a word?) has enzymes in it or is it microbe driven from the point of view of dissolving food stuffs?
Just wondering if the original "aid to digestion" theory could be spot on if blowing bubbles helps concentrate (by evaporation) whatever helps to dissolve their food when they do regurgitate on it.
Brian V.
Posted by T Bone on 18-04-2006 06:49
#33
I was wondering:
Could bubble-blowing be the symptom of a common fly illness--as sneezing and coughing and runny nose can be for a human cold? Or maybe it's a response to a common pesticide?
One of the earlier post mentioned that flies, when blowing bubbles, remain more still and are easier to photograph. Is this a hindered flight response? (I'm not sure if I could run and have a coughing attack at the same time if I had to.)
I know this post is rather after the fact, but . . .
Posted by Paul Beuk on 18-04-2006 07:30
#34
If the behaviour has something to do with digestion of food, flying off probably would mean the loss of the food that was being digested...
Posted by Susan R Walter on 29-04-2006 22:12
#35
I watched a female Muscina sp blowing bubbles this morning. This is the first time I have witnessed this behaviour, but thanks to this forum, I immediately recognised what she was doing and stayed to watch. The droplets she produced were translucent blue grey (maybe only a reflection off her body). The droplet slowly grew to a couple of millimetres across then she slowly withdrew it, then the process was repeated. She was sitting in the sun, head to the east, on a bramble leaf. The droplet itself, because of the angle of the leaf, was not in the sun, but shaded by her body. I didn't have a camera with me, so no photo (and anyway, my photographic skills aren't good enough to add anything to these terrific images).
I am also struck by something Totipotent touched on earlier - in this case, and in each of the pictures in this thread the bubbler is female.
Posted by LordV on 30-04-2006 18:27
#36
Susan R Walter wrote:
I watched a female Muscina sp blowing bubbles this morning. This is the first time I have witnessed this behaviour, but thanks to this forum, I immediately recognised what she was doing and stayed to watch. The droplets she produced were translucent blue grey (maybe only a reflection off her body). The droplet slowly grew to a couple of millimetres across then she slowly withdrew it, then the process was repeated. She was sitting in the sun, head to the east, on a bramble leaf. The droplet itself, because of the angle of the leaf, was not in the sun, but shaded by her body. I didn't have a camera with me, so no photo (and anyway, my photographic skills aren't good enough to add anything to these terrific images).
I am also struck by something Totipotent touched on earlier - in this case, and in each of the pictures in this thread the bubbler is female.
Hate to burst anyones bubble but I think my all time champion biggest bubble blower is male (bubble is 2mm in diameter)
:)
Brian V.
Posted by Susan R Walter on 02-05-2006 19:37
#37
Brian
A true Englishman just can't resist a pun:D
I didn't have a theory attached to the observation though, indeed I thought it seemed unlikely that bubble blowing was confined to females.
Posted by Dmitry Gavryushin on 13-05-2006 20:09
#38
I guess that's the same thing with Scathophaga (image cropped).
May 13, 2006.
Posted by LordV on 15-05-2006 09:09
#39
Found a bee-fly bubble blowing- but did it at the near end of it's proboscis. It was very obviously giving its probe/tubes a good clean from the manipulations that were going on. Makes me wonder if the bubble blowing is a way of cleaning out the tubes in this and other flies?
Brian V.
Posted by pierred on 18-05-2006 19:56
#40
Hello,
Here is my own one. It was on the shadow side of a rather big leaf and didn't move very much while bubbling. On the other hand, as soon as it had swallowed again the contents of this rather opaque bubble, it could not tolerate the flash of my camera anymore.
Edited by pierred on 18-05-2006 19:57
Posted by pierred on 27-06-2006 05:47
#41
Yet another family.
This time, a Sepsid (Themira ?)
Posted by Nikita Vikhrev on 27-06-2006 08:05
#42
I think it is Nemopoda nitidula.
Nikita
Posted by Paul Beuk on 27-06-2006 08:06
#43
The tip of the wing seems shaded so that is the logical conclusion.
Posted by pierred on 27-06-2006 19:45
#44
Thanks to both of you
Posted by Nik Wiman on 28-06-2006 18:54
#45
Hi folks, first time poster. My .02 on fly bubbling. I tend to think it has a digestive function. The tachinids I'm rearing do it after imbibing on a nectar mixture I feed them, regrdless of temperature, sun position, or sex. Attached photo of Nemorilla pyste, a parasitoid of Choristoneura spp. taken today 6/28/06. Cheers, Nik
Not just diptera I have a photo of Neuroptera engaged in the same activity.
Posted by walwyn on 05-08-2006 20:49
#48
I have a photo of a lacewing engaged in the same activity.
Posted by brian reily on 22-08-2006 21:44
#49
many flies regurgitate in order to digest their food
Posted by LordV on 24-08-2006 09:21
#50
brian reily wrote:
many flies regurgitate in order to digest their food
But how does this help them digest the food ?
Concentration of the food?
More/fresh enzymes from the salivary glands ?
Brian V.
Posted by Cole Gilbert on 27-08-2006 23:47
#51
I was just alerted to this list and this fly behavior. I agree with the suggestion that data be taken on the orientation of the fly and drop relative to the sun as the thermoregulatory idea may have some traction. I have never seen the behavior, but the photos are reminiscent of behavior of nectar sipping Hymenoptera that regurgitate a droplet of nectar thus exposing it to the air for evaporation of water and concentrating its contents.
Posted by pierred on 30-08-2006 20:35
#52
Hello,
Just for the fun, an Hymenoptera bubbling !!
Posted by Don Martin on 19-09-2006 09:10
#53
Here is another one. A Mesembrina mystacea facing east in a cloudy but light afternoon :) The temperature is about 13 C
Don Martin
Posted by Paul Beuk on 19-09-2006 09:44
#54
Nice pic! :D
Posted by Cor Zonneveld on 14-10-2006 10:48
#55
LordV wrote:
New theory on this behaviour. Over the last few cold bright days (air temp around 3-6'C) Every time the sun has actually been bright, I've found all the Scatphaga on one bush in the bright sun were bubbleblowing (around 3-4 of them). I don't normally see bubble blowing at that high frequency. Wonder if it's a way of warming up faster by letting the drop warm up in the sun and then sucking it back in again. Another reason for wondering this is normally flies seem to to sunbathe with their back to the sun (ie head away from the sun), whilst when they are bubble blowing they always seem to be facing the sun or at least at right angles to it, so the bubble is getting full sun.
Brian V.
I wonder about the physics of the process. Flies are generally some rather dark colour, so they take up solar heat easily. The fluid drops are mostly translucent, so any light just passes through them and little heat will be absorbed.
I attach a photograph of a small Sepsidae with a bubble. It was fully clouded weather, and on top of this, the fly would have been in full shadow if there were any sunshine!
So to me physics and some observations are not consonant with the heating-up-your-food hypothesis.
I'm sorry I cannot come up with something more positive...
Edited by Cor Zonneveld on 14-10-2006 11:09
Posted by LordV on 14-10-2006 11:14
#56
Cor Zonneveld wrote:
I wonder about the physics of the process. Flies are generally some rather dark colour, so they take up solar heat easily. The fluid drops are mostly translucent, so any light just passes through them and little heat will be absorbed.
I attach a photograph of a small Sepsidae with a bubble. It was fully clouded weather, and on top of this, the fly would have been in full shadow if there were any sunshine!
So to me physics and some observations are not consonant with the heating-up-your-food hypothesis.
I'm sorry I cannot come up with something more positive...
Think you are probably correct ie heat transfer is not significant factor. I think it much more likely that it is purely a concentrating process by evaportion of perhaps a chance to remix the stomach contents with a new batch of salivary gland enzymes.
Brian V.
I think we should all look at what Paul said, quite at the beginning of this thread (which is really interesting as such, anyway, thanks for going on, folks). This is a matter of digestion. Flies (and probably other insects) absorb as much as they can at the spot, knowing that they will after have time to hunger or digest.
On the other hand, in Matile/Seguy's work, the tractus of diptera is described as comprising a "jabot" (in French, I understand it as a side chamber) where the fly can accumulate what it intakes, knowing it will have later on time to manage/transform it.
Posted by pierred on 18-03-2007 06:58
#58
Hello,
This time, another point of view on the bubble. One can see how the bubble is formed by the mouthparts.
Posted by saturdaze on 05-04-2007 20:22
#59
I suspect that the regurgitation is simply a mechanism to concentrate the fluid food by evaporation. Because nutrients are dilute in many fluid foods, this behavior relieves the excretory system of some of its work. Honey Bees extend tongues and develop a film of nectar, and the fanning of wings in the hive increases evaporation due to increased heat and air circulation--result: honey.
Posted by Kahis on 05-04-2007 21:13
#60
saturdaze wrote:
I suspect that the regurgitation is simply a mechanism to concentrate the fluid food by evaporation. Because nutrients are dilute in many fluid foods, this behavior relieves the excretory system of some of its work. Honey Bees extend tongues and develop a film of nectar, and the fanning of wings in the hive increases evaporation due to increased heat and air circulation--result: honey.
The problem I have with this idea is that it makes little sense from a physicist point of view. A spherical droplet is the worst possible geometry for evaporation; it has the smaller surface area for the volume. A thin film is much better for this purpose. Absorbing water and allowing it to evaporate from the tracheal system would be probably much more efficient. For most insects retaining enough water is a problem, not having too much of it :)
Posted by saturdaze on 05-04-2007 21:22
#61
They are pretty small droplets. Yes, a sphere has the least surface area for the volume contained, but these droplets are tiny . . . dare I say, teenie tiny. Without the tongues of bees that allow a film of fluid to be produced, a droplet might be the only option for flies and other insects without tongues. Here is another example. The droplet is less that 0.5mm in diameter!
Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 10-05-2007 20:36
#62
and here goes the mine. Musca cf. autumnalis do bubble blowing. :)
I saw this beefly in Switzerland at approx 2000 m. Similar tongue, similar bubble blowing. It must be a different behaviour from the other beefly in this thread.
Posted by pierred on 06-09-2007 06:39
#66
Hello,
Yet another one, by Jorapavi, found today on the main forum :
Posted by pierred on 06-09-2007 06:43
#67
A second one, still by Jorapavi, seen on the main forum :
Amazing.
Posted by Iolaire on 13-09-2007 18:40
#68
I finally saw a fly bubbleblowing today. This fly (I think it's Mesembrina meridiana) was sitting for at least 15 minutes really being busy doing nothing but holding it's bubble "in the wind". Well, it wasn't windy at all, the fly was sitting on the sunny side of a leaf but in the shade of another (leaf). It never moved a muscle! Temp. about 16 C. Almost no wind and a bit of on-and-off sun.
Edited by Iolaire on 13-09-2007 18:41
Posted by Newfoundlander on 22-09-2007 23:41
#69
I photographed this fly on September 19, 2007 at 48.163552N 53.966826W (WGS84). The temperature was about 20 Celsius. The sun was at about the 5 o'clock position if the direction the fly was facing is referenced as 12 o'clock. Don't be fooled by the shadows, I used flash. In fact, the instant the flash fired, the bubble collapsed and the fly immediately withdrew the substance into its mouth.
Here is the entire fly:
Another Calliphora vomitoria found on the main forum (by patder) :
Posted by Alvesgaspar on 26-11-2007 15:19
#75
Anthomyia sp. fly making bubbles in the sun. November, 2007, Lisbon.
Joaquim Gaspar
Lisboa
Posted by Juergen Peters on 07-12-2007 17:27
#76
Hello!
Perhaps the flies like to look at their own image in the mirror like this Thricops diaphanus from October 2006 B):
Also 2 mm-Drosophilas do it (Dec-01-2007, 7 ?C):
Posted by Alvesgaspar on 13-12-2007 12:31
#77
And a Muscina sp. blowing...
Posted by Alvesgaspar on 31-12-2007 19:18
#78
This time it is a Calliphoridae (a Calliphora vicina?) heating up its regorgitated meal in the sun. Please don't ask what the meal is :p
Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 31-12-2007 22:41
#79
yellow thing... some stomachal fluids.. :D or a new bubllegum. :D
Posted by anto on 01-01-2008 17:35
#80
16-12-2007,Barcelona,Spain
Posted by pierred on 22-01-2008 07:36
#81
Hello,
Yet another Scathophaga sp. bubbling on the Spitzbergen on July 30th.
(Photo by Arjen (Natureview))
Posted by pierred on 06-02-2008 07:19
#82
One more, by Jean-Claude :
Posted by pierred on 16-02-2008 08:10
#83
Hello,
One Ephrydidae by Morpha :
Posted by LordV on 18-02-2008 21:21
#84
Some shots of Calliphora sp. showing the colour range from colourless to dark coffee.
Had an interesting comment left on a flickr photo of this behaviour-
"Regurgitating aerates the semi-digested food and helps in oxidation processes. Speeds up digestion"
Hadn't considered aeration as a possibility.
brian V.
Posted by Alvesgaspar on 02-03-2008 23:54
#85
What about a wasp (Polistes dominulus) heating up its meal?
Joaquim Gaspar
Lisboa
Edited by Alvesgaspar on 02-03-2008 23:55
Posted by pierred on 03-03-2008 06:39
#86
Hello,
Very fine picture !!
Posted by pierred on 24-03-2008 21:54
#87
Hello,
Just another one, shown today on the main forum, by javanerkelens :
Edited by pierred on 24-03-2008 21:54
Posted by pierred on 02-04-2008 06:41
#88
Yet another one, by Rui Andrade :
Posted by pierred on 08-04-2008 06:48
#89
Another one, by Niek :
Posted by pierred on 21-04-2008 05:30
#90
Yet another one, by Anto, seen on the main forum :
This Green Lacewing was photographed in the middle of the night at Scatsta Airport on 29/07/08.
Not much sun about at 00.21 even in Shetland in July, so the heating-up of the bubble theory can be discounted I think.
Posted by Roger Thomason on 12-11-2008 00:28
#99
This little fly blew a bubble but couldn't swallow it again, so left it on the leaf. Sorry for poor picture quality....pre proper Macro Lense.
Posted by Paul Beuk on 12-11-2008 09:31
#100
The little fly is Scaptomyza pallida, Drosophilidae.
Posted by Roger Thomason on 12-11-2008 09:37
#101
Thanks for that Paul, I didn't expect an ID from that photo, so thats a bonus..:). I'll have to post a few more here.
Regards Roger.
Posted by Roger Thomason on 12-11-2008 09:47
#102
Another one. An ID would be nice.
Edited by Roger Thomason on 13-11-2008 12:46
Posted by Roger Thomason on 12-11-2008 09:48
#103
another one. An ID would be nice.
Edited by Roger Thomason on 13-11-2008 12:49
Posted by Roger Thomason on 12-11-2008 09:49
#104
another ID would be nice.
Edited by Roger Thomason on 13-11-2008 15:46
Posted by Roger Thomason on 13-11-2008 15:47
#105
Another....ID would be nice
Posted by Roger Thomason on 13-11-2008 15:49
#106
Another ...ID would be nice
Posted by Roger Thomason on 13-11-2008 15:50
#107
Another...
Posted by Roger Thomason on 13-11-2008 16:09
#108
Another...Anthomyiidae sp. looking very blue.
Posted by Roger Thomason on 21-11-2008 06:27
#109
Another one making a poor job of blowing a bubble.
Posted by lagura on 22-11-2008 23:19
#110
A Calliphora blowing a big red bubble. Red wine with the food? :D
Posted by Nosferatumyia on 23-11-2008 10:29
#111
A male of Terellia florescentiae L. (Tephritidae, ruficauda aggr.)
Edited by Nosferatumyia on 23-11-2008 10:38
Posted by Roger Thomason on 26-11-2008 10:08
#112
I think this one has been on the Guinness. Wasn't yours was it Paul ;)
Posted by Andrzej on 26-11-2008 10:16
#113
dark Curaçao blue please :D
Posted by Roger Thomason on 01-12-2008 01:27
#114
Another from my garden
Posted by Roger Thomason on 08-12-2008 01:54
#115
Well here's one for Andrzej who requested dark Curacao blue in post #113. I know it's a bit light, but
Bluebottles are lousy Cocktail Waiters. ;).
Not been altered.
Posted by Juergen Peters on 14-12-2008 21:33
#116
Most of the Hylemya vagans/nigrimana were digesting apple juice today. B)
Posted by Rui Andrade on 16-12-2008 01:04
#117
The first photo was taken at 15/04/2008 and shows a male Fannia canicularis bubble blowing at 8 pm during twilight in a flat. So, almost with no sunlight.
The second photo, taken today (15/12/2008), shows a Calliphora vicina bubble blowing at 10 am. The fly was basking in the sun and the temperature was around 10 ºC. Many flies, of different species, were doing this.
Posted by Juergen Peters on 16-12-2008 01:26
#118
Hello, Rui!
Many flies, of different species, were doing this.
Yes, even very small ones like this < 2 mm Madiza glabra (Milichiidae). But I have also noticed it on some small bees, especially those who collect nectar in the stomach like the Hylaeus below. (Edit: But this is a male, so it should not collect it for the larvae...)
Edited by Juergen Peters on 16-12-2008 01:27
Posted by Roger Thomason on 30-12-2008 02:22
#119
Found this little midge in the garden yesterday..first fly I've seen in weeks. Was in an awkward to get at spot so couldn't get a real close-up shot. Put it in the laptop to find it was blowing a bubble, very small.
Posted by LakeSide on 22-02-2009 11:08
#120
Mesembrina meridiana bubbleblowing. You can see the meadow and sky reflecting in the bubble (no PS)
Posted by pierred on 22-02-2009 21:19
#121
Thanks for the marvelous picture !!
Posted by pierred on 08-03-2009 06:57
#122
Yet another one (Ephrydridae), from Brasil, posted by Chis:
Posted by Roger Thomason on 08-03-2009 11:59
#123
Photographed this little Tephritidae Dioxyna bidentis cleaning its wings and blowing a bubble. Seems to be stretching the mouthparts a fair bit to get the bubble out, but it is quite large in comparison with the head
Edited by Roger Thomason on 08-03-2009 12:08
Posted by Roger Thomason on 08-03-2009 12:00
#124
Another D.bidentis sunning itself and blowing a bubble.
Posted by pierred on 12-03-2009 08:11
#125
Yet another Ephydridae from Tanzania, by Muhammad Mahdi, identified as Chlorichaeta sp. by Tony Irwin :
Posted by Roger Thomason on 30-03-2009 18:59
#126
Even in death this fly was still blowing a bubble.
Posted by Paul Beuk on 30-03-2009 19:11
#127
I guess that was the last bit of life being squeezed out if it...
Posted by uwe on 12-04-2009 11:14
#128
Rotterdam 10 april 09, cloudy above 20* celsius
Posted by joolz46 on 07-05-2009 23:14
#129
Can anyone help an extreme novice ID this lovely bubbley?
Edited by joolz46 on 07-05-2009 23:16
Posted by uwe on 19-05-2009 23:21
#130
22april2009 between 12 and 16' celsius, rotterdam, down sealevel
Posted by vida on 01-06-2009 14:25
#131
They are even blowing bubbles in South Africa! :)) I named this one "the entertainer" for obvious reasons.
Posted by Stephen R on 15-06-2009 11:10
#132
As a new member I have read this thread with great interest. At the present stage of the discussion, the 'aid to digestion' theory seems the most plausible. Is anything known about the chemistry of external digestion? Is it possible that an enzyme in the digestive juices is synthesised or activated more efficiently under UV or other radiation? (LordV hinted at something similar in post #20.) If so, flies may have evolved to bubble when fresh supplies are required and they feel safe enough (and they may occasionally do it when there isn't much radiation about, on the grounds that a little is better than nothing). Is the saliva for external digestion distinct from the stomach juices, and if so is there a reservoir for it big enough to contain a bubble?
Tethina illota (Canacidae)
The sky was very cloudy
And a small video: YouTube Video
Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 25-07-2009 18:27
#137
GREAT VIDEO! Well done! ;)
Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 12-08-2009 21:48
#138
Cephalodromia cf. nitens (Mythicomyiidae)
Posted by cyprinoid on 23-08-2009 21:13
#139
Sepsis punctum
I'll look through my stuff and see if I have more :)
Posted by brigitteu on 08-10-2009 18:24
#140
pic from yesterday, 07.10.09, so I'v no ID of the flys
even in copula the female was blowing bubbles . . . .
best regards, Brigitte
Edited by brigitteu on 08-10-2009 18:27
Posted by pierred on 20-10-2009 07:23
#141
Hello,
Yet another one, by Lagura, with a splendid black bubble:
Posted by Christine Devillers on 07-11-2009 20:46
#142
I've observed this Hylemya vagans/nigrimana female during 32 minuts (14.24 to 14.56) feeding on an excrement (pic 1 ). Then she found a warm place on a dry leave (no wind and in the sun) . She began to bubble 3 minutes later (14.59), aspirated the bubble 1 minut later (15.00, pic 2), and then maked immediately another brown opaque bubble (15.00, pic 3).
Edited by Christine Devillers on 07-11-2009 20:48
Posted by Christine Devillers on 07-11-2009 20:49
#143
pic 2
Posted by Christine Devillers on 07-11-2009 20:50
#144
pic 3
Posted by LordV on 26-01-2010 08:32
#145
A member on another forum (bjolly) asked me if I'd post a couple of links to some video they shot of this behaviour
YouTube Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9CPQnid4xg
YouTube Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajzpyOGrZOg
Original forum thread here http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=816054
Brian V.
EDIT Paul Beuk: Added the YouTube ID's between youtube tags to show the clips in the message.
Edited by Paul Beuk on 26-01-2010 08:38
Posted by LordV on 27-01-2010 08:32
#146
Thanks for the edit Paul :)
Posted by Larry Shone on 10-05-2010 14:03
#147
Hi Brian, fancy seeing you here!
Interesting behaviour,must look out for it. I have seen my pet tarantulas doing similar but I assume they're cleaning out their venom ducts. Could the flies be cleaning/flushing out their saliva glands?
Posted by spickles on 21-04-2011 10:23
#148
Hi all - this is my first post! :D
I've noticed this with my Calliphorids in my lab colonies, and there is no sun for them to warm their bubbles. Was an agreement reached as to the what and why? As with the other post, the flies remain still as this happens, sometimes holding the bubble in place, other times sucking it and out.
Anyone else witnessed this in a lab environment?
Many thanks,
Sam.
Posted by Maleficare on 07-08-2011 17:40
#149
I have found several species blowing bubbles, latest catch was this
Heteroptera Sp. sittiing in direct sunlight. Sorry for the poor pic, but this was a very small specimen.
Interesting thread ...
In some photos it looks like they have had too much to eat. :D
Perhaps they can´t keep all the fluid, when they are digesting a good meal...
Posted by pierred on 13-01-2012 14:09
#152
Another Calliphora by Manuel Lopez :
Posted by John Carr on 19-01-2012 02:26
#153
Small flies were helping an ambush bug (Phymata) eat a honey bee. One had too much to drink.
Posted by Paul Beuk on 19-01-2012 10:03
#154
A Desmometopa of the Milichiidae.
Posted by amandafujikawa on 10-04-2012 17:26
#155
I think it is a form of digestion in the form of evaporation, similar to what mosquitoes do after a blood meal. They can only hold so much water before they are too heavy to fly and their osmotic balance is upset. So they bubble to reduce water and concentrate whatever meal they just had. I watched Calliphorids do it a bunch during my MS. In that case, they were feeding on blood and digesting for protein. So they would bubble until the protein/water ratio was 'right' and then they would finish digesting. Fascinating behavior, in any case!
Edited by amandafujikawa on 10-04-2012 17:28
Posted by John Sankey on 14-09-2012 13:27
#156
Nikita Vikhrev wrote:
Otherwise we have the problem to explain ... the fact that Dragonflies (very warm-loving group) do not bubling, for example.
Odonata chomp solid meat and use almost no liquid in digestion. Many Diptera dissolve their food externally then suck it up as a liquid; I suspect these are the species that bubble. Exception example welcome, of course!
Posted by pinny on 09-02-2013 13:14
#157
pinny wrote:
almost dead fly blowing bubble indoors...
Edited by pinny on 09-02-2013 13:26
Posted by Dmitry Gavryushin on 13-02-2014 08:04
#158
This article throws some light on bubbling phenomenon:
John G. Stoffolano Jr., and Aaron T. Haselton - The Adult Dipteran Crop: A Unique and Overlooked Organ. - Annu. Rev. Entomol. 2013, 58:205-25
Abstract:
The diverticulated crop is a unique and overlooked foregut organ in the Diptera that affects many physiological and behavioral functions. Historically, the crop was viewed simply as a reservoir for excess nutrients. The crop lobes and crop duct form an elaborate sphincter and pump system that moves stored nutrients to the crop lobes, oral cavity, and the midgut. The storage capacity of the crop lobes is significant when filled maximally and supplies sufficient carbohydrates to sustain prolonged activity and flight, and adequate protein and lipids to facilitate reproductive events. Crop emptying is under complex neuroendocrine and neural control and may be influenced by multiple neuromessengers, such as serotonin and dromyosuppressin. The crop lobes also serve as a site for the initial mixing of enzymes from the salivary glands and antimicrobials from the labellar glands with ingested food. These food-processing functions are associated with behaviors unique to dipterans, such as regurgitation (or bubbling), nuptial gift giving, and substrate droplet deposition or trap-lining.
Posted by jonrichfield on 14-09-2014 06:56
#159
Of the replies that I have had a look at so far amandafujikawa struck me as closest to the root of the matter. I have long been interested in this effect, and the first caveat is that any behaviour pattern so widespread is likely to have many component effects, so I am cautious about laying down the law.
However, here are a few points to ponder:
We usually see the behaviour in insects that feed on diluted fluids. (Bear in mind that there are similar cases of other insects that feed eg on plant saps or blood and have special adaptations for shedding excess water etc)
I have seen the behaviour most obvious in flies feeding on dung, nectar, insect blood (such as Milichiidae sharing the meals of crab spiders) and the like. Such foods occur episodically and one must feed as much as possible as fast as possible; the meal won't last and you need a lot of it, so grab what you can and hurry!
HOWEVER... with a full gut:
1: Lugging all the excess water reduces mobility, which is risky for flies.
2: While your crop is full you have no capacity for more
3: You can of course concentrate your gut content by fractionating it and excreting the diluted fluid, as many insects in fact do, but it is not always easy, though many mosquitoes do it after a blood meal.
4: However, you CAN produce a pendent droplet while you wait for your insides to deal with the rest. A droplet of such a small size has a considerable area/volume ratio and a rather tight surface curve, which promotes evaporation and concentration. Furthermore, surface tension can suspend such a small droplet quite securely.
I have seen similar bubbles (very seldom, but I had not been looking carefully) in SOLITARY bees ONLY. I rather suspect that they were males, but don't trust me on that!
Now, that would be consistent. Social or semi-social bees have no time to hang around evaporating drops in the open and they can do it more safely and maybe faster in a nice warm colony, with lots of their mates helping by fanning. Solitary bees have little advantage going back to the nest with diluted food, and will do better concentrating what they have at once, maybe able to top up with more nectar before leaving.
Flies have nowhere special to go and are in no hurry, but they might want to top up and might not wish to carry extra mass, though I never have seen a healthy fly so burdened that it was easy to catch!
So, I, the fly, sit and digest when I am full. I put my bowels to work concentrating what is inside, and as my crop is not a major organ of absorption, I dangle a nice big portion outside the crop where it can concentrate in the air. Maybe it will leave me with room for an extra portion in ten minutes or so, but even if not, a bit of concentration would do no harm.
I don't think the presence of oxygen in the surrounding air would be at all beneficial; digestion is as far as I can remember, an exclusively anoxic process; I cannot think of a single case where oxygen would be desirable.
In metabolism certainly, but not in digestion or assimilation; there we are more likely to want hydrolysis than oxidation. Oxidation is likely to destroy valuable nutrients or convert metallic micronutrients such as iron to undesirable oxidation states. So, for purposes of the dilute broth in my crop, I put up with the oxygen, but do not welcome it.
So, in summary, for years I have had no doubt that the overwhelming proportion of the function of the droplet dangling is evaporation.
Posted by Don Micro on 19-08-2015 12:14
#160
Busted!
Posted by Don Micro on 19-08-2015 12:15
#161
You scoundrel!
Edited by Don Micro on 19-08-2015 12:16
Posted by evdb on 30-08-2015 11:43
#162
I should want to be sure : is that "bubbles", full of gas, or "dropplets" full of liquid ?
Posted by Paul Beuk on 31-08-2015 08:11
#163
Droplets
Posted by evdb on 31-08-2015 08:20
#164
Thanks a lot Paul.
Posted by Pentti Ketola on 17-11-2015 18:22
#165
They are even blowing bubbles in Finland!
Pentti.
Edited by Pentti Ketola on 17-11-2015 18:23
Posted by Rolf N on 21-11-2015 17:38
#166
They do even fly with a bubble!
Polietes lardaria (?)
13.11.2015 Wilhelmshaven, Germany
Posted by Auke on 26-12-2015 06:38
#167
If I remember well, there were also some photos of non-dipteran species blowing bubbles in this topic. Because download speed is back to horrendous here, I'm nog going to check if I'm right though. Anyway, a couple of months ago I photographed a large Surinamese katydid (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae) with a large bubble. My photo series shows that he/she sucked it back up, then made it larger again. This was in the evening after sundown at about 450m altitude. The place (Brownsberg) becomes rather chilly at night, and often misty as well, and I don't think thermoregulation or evaporation are viable explanations in this case. I don't know which explanation would be viable though...
Posted by evernia on 10-05-2016 08:13
#168
This seems to be an halictic bee manipulating nectar droplets to reduce moisture. While I was taking the pictures, the bee moved continuously her tongue in and out about twenty times before it flew away. This is the first time I have seen a bee doing this drying and ripening process with her tongue. There are several pictures of bees processing nectar with a droplet in her mouth, as if they were simply bubble blowing . But in this case the bee seems to evaporate more water from the droplet by expanding the proboscis to full length and exposing a larger droplet surface to the sun.
Edited by evernia on 10-05-2016 08:16
Posted by Auke on 08-07-2016 21:40
#169
Another nighttime blower, this time a walking stick (Phasmatodea). Photographed on the Brownsberg in Suriname.
Posted by Miudo on 01-10-2020 01:07
#170
Here in Brazil they blow bubbles in very weird situations (also nighttime)
Posted by Tina S on 16-06-2021 10:35
#171
It seems that at least the body cooling theory seems to be confirmed now, look e.g. here (literature at the bottom): https://rcannon99...nt-page-1/
Andre wrote:
In the light of evolution, it is very well possible that certain diptera-groups (probably closely related to eachother) have developed this behaviour. It could be a mix of reasons. Or the main reason may be digestion, with an extra opportunity to control bodytemperature.
To get a better idea of this, best we can do is to make solid observations in the field, like I suggested above.
I know that both calyptrates and acalyptrates can 'do the bubble'. I cannot recall any orthorrhaphous brachycera and even deep searching my mind I do not recall having seen syrphids do it.
I think it may simply also have to do with the structure of the mouth parts that enable the flies to bubble or not. And that, in its turn, is determined by evolution, as related taxa probably have the same kind of mouth parts, unless evolution took the a step further.
Very interesting thread !
If it can be a any help,
For Brachycera I've pictured this Sepsis sp female (probably Sepsis fulgens with 2 dc but on certain pictures I can see yellow on the legs) :