From DOUGLAS CROSS
Q: Groups of greenfly on my honeysuckle often suddenly burst into rapid
synchronised side-to-side oscillations.
These bursts of activity last for 43 seconds, with an interval of 11
seconds rest before the next series of movements begins.
Individual groups of flies were separated by at least 20 centimetres
– some by up to 2 metres – but all groups on the plant were synchronised.
What were they doing and why, and how did they manage to ‘keep time’?
Douglas Cross Honiton, Devon
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