Do houseflies have tiny little wing muscles?
Ask Dr. Smarty how they can be so aggravating…
Do flies have tiny little wing muscles?
Well, yes, flies have small, specialized muscles called “direct muscles” that attach directly to their wings and enable them to flap their wings rapidly. These direct muscles are different from the indirect flight muscles found in most other insects, which are much larger and attach to their thorax and indirectly control the movement of their wings.
The “direct muscles” in flies are able to contract and relax very quickly, allowing flies to beat their wings up to several hundred times per second.
That is essential for their ability to hover, fly quickly, change direction rapidly, and aggravate the stew out of you. These little wing muscles are one of the key adaptations that make flies such excellent fliers.
They are, after all, called flies.
We are asked this question a lot. There is your answer.
Thanks for reading.
More of YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT LIFE IN GENERAL…
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Don’s a keen observer and prolific reporter of truth, common sense, humor, & life. He’s a WRITER|HUMORIST, sometimes serious, sometimes tongue-in-cheek. He lives in Nashville, Tn.