Flies Can’t ‘Stick’ Their Landings On Zebras

Zebras with their bold, beautiful stripes have always dazzled wildlife observers and zoo-goers. Blood-sucking flies, however, are not among their admirers. New research published earlier this year in PLOS ONE, a peer-reviewed scientific journal, presented evidence that stripes somehow befuddle various fly species on their final approach to a Zebra’s backside.

Horseflies approach zebras and uniformly colored horses at similar rates, but they have a tough time landing on zebras or horses draped in striped blanket camo, says behavioral ecologist Tim Caro of the University of California-Davis, lead author of the research. They fail to decelerate properly and fly right past the animals or touchdown “too hot” and bounce off, Dr. Caro explains.

Martin How, MSC, PhD, Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Bristol (U.K.) and study co-author says stripes may disorient flies once the insects get close enough to see them with their low-resolution eyes. Researchers videoed horse flies as they tried to attack captive zebras and domestic horses at a livery in North Somerset, England. From a distance, stripes did not deter them, but as the flies got closer to touchdown they started to “lose it.” Less than a quarter of the flies maintained their composure and were able to land.

Originally published in ProfitBuilder Magazine, Summer 2019.