Drosophila melanogaster

September 14, 2017 4:38
Drosophila melanogaster
Growing Native with Petey Mesquitey
Drosophila melanogaster

Sep 14 2017 | 4:38

/

Show Notes

The name Drosophila melanogaster is fun to say in dramatic style… and I do. At our place we don’t remember this many fruit flies from years past, so I guess in a way this has been a good year, at least for the fruit flies. And not only do they enjoy ripening fruit and vegetables, but alcoholic beverages as well, so it is a good idea to drink your wine or beer rapidly… I like that…or keep them covered. I can’t tell you how many fruit flies have gone done my gullet with a swallow of beer. It could be a catchy name for a local micro brew…Fruit Fly IPA… and it would definitely make a cute label. Do you remember looking at these flies under a microscope in high school genetics and seeing their red eyes? Oh yeah, big red eyes.

A couple notes: One day after I had written this show I thought about the 100 years plus of laboratory research using Drosophila and realized that in a way they are tiny lab rats and we use them like they are nothing really…expendable for research. At least when I swallow them with my beer they are some sort of nutrition. I mean, what if they have beautiful little brains and can do algebra problems. Well, my mind can go to weird places when I’m home alone near the banks of the ol’ guajolote. I like the photo and I found it on line. You can see the black abdomen and the red eyes.

Other Episodes

Episode

March 17, 2020 00:04:45
Episode Cover

Sycamore Waiver Signed

What is it about sycamore trees? When I mention a sycamore or show a photo of one to someone, invariably they declare their love...

Listen

Episode 0

September 08, 2021 00:05:20
Episode Cover

Solidago missouriensis

I grew up in Kentucky where the state flower is goldenrod. The particular species that has that honor is Solidago gigantea. I wonder how...

Listen

Episode

December 15, 2016
Episode Cover

Nature Cures

I do love the fall and winter smell of moist old leaves and grasses. It always sparks a memory of my childhood in moist...

Listen