Flies' attraction to yellow: New insights into summer nuisance
Flies are among the most annoying insects we can encounter in daily life. We often wonder why they gather around us or our meals when we're outdoors. Research suggests that flies prefer specific colours, which might attract their attention more than others.
Flies are considered a real nuisance, mainly when they breed quickly on warm days. We see dozens of them on fruits, in our summer salads, sweets, or even a glass of lemonade.
We often see flies attracted to the colour yellow and bright clothing that we wear in summer, which can be very frustrating for us.
All insects, butterflies, and moths are attracted to the colour yellow and generally bright colours - emphasises unica.ro.
Why does the colour yellow attract flies?
Flies have compound eyes that enable them to see a broad spectrum of colours. Thanks to this, they can perceive different colours, which may influence their behaviour. Research suggests that flies prefer specific colours, which might attract their attention more than others.
One reason the colour yellow might attract flies is its association with certain types of food. In nature, many flowers and fruits have intense, bright colours, including yellow.
When searching for food, flies might instinctively be drawn towards more vivid colours, associating them with potential food sources.
Numerous scientific studies have examined insect colour preferences. Some experiments have shown that flies are more active in places where bright colours like white, yellow, or orange dominate. However, other studies do not unambiguously confirm this thesis.
Some theories suggest that the main factor attracting flies is not the colour itself but the reflectivity and brightness of a surface. Bright surfaces reflect more light, which might attract insects searching for food or shelter.
