Vomiting up a droplet of sugar might not seem like the most romantic gesture from a potential suitor. But for one fly species, males that spill their guts are quite a catch.
Drosophila subobscura flies’ peculiar “romantic” barfing might have evolved by repurposing brain cells that usually control digestion for more romantic pursuits, researchers report August 14 in Science.
Most male fruit flies court by following the females around and vibrating their wings to serenade them with a species-specific love song, says Adriane Otopalik. But some fly species, like D. subobscura, spice things up a little. The males will vomit a bit of their last meal and offer it