How fruit flies chase invisible ribbons of smell to get to their source
Summary
Scientists studied how fruit flies find smells in the air using a new experimental setup. They found that flies do not just follow simple patterns but use a more complex method called "edge tracking" to stay near the boundaries of odor plumes.Key Facts
- Fruit flies search for smells carried by turbulent air, where odor is uneven and comes in bursts.
- The old “surge and cast” model suggested flies fly upwind when they smell something, then side to side if they lose the scent.
- Researchers led by Vanessa Ruta created a tiny treadmill for flies to control the smells they experienced.
- They used a controlled airflow mixed with vinegar vapors to simulate how odor moves in nature.
- Flies did not fly straight up the odor; instead, they followed the edges of the scent plume in a looping pattern.
- Flies spent more time outside the odor plume edges than inside, making short trips into the scent to move forward.
- Flies tracked odor edges even when the strength of the smell changed direction.
- This study shows fruit flies use a more advanced way to follow smells than previously thought.
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