Thread subject: Diptera.info :: cleaning behavior

Posted by ChrisR on 13-11-2007 15:40
#3

With hoverflies I am guessing but I'd say they are just cleaning dust & pollen off their wings and body to make them more streamlined. They are also covered with very fine hairs & bristles, many of which are sensory and help in flight - detecting the direction of air movement etc, so they probably want to make sure they are pointing in the right directions so that they work properly :)