Researchers in Japan say they have succeeded in changing the courtship behavior of a certain type of fly by manipulating a gene to change the activity of neuronal cells.
The scientists, including Nagoya University lecturer Tanaka Ryoya, released their findings in the US journal Science this month. They conducted a study on what neuronal activity is behind species-specific behavior.
They first identified neuronal cells that trigger courtship behavior in a kind of fruit fly. The male of this species feeds the female fruit juice mouth to mouth.
They then manipulated a gene in male flies in a different species to activate their neuronal cells in the same way. These flies innately vibrate their wings to court a mate, but after the manipulation, they began the feeding behavior as well.
The team says the findings suggest that the behavior of an insect can be changed by altering neuronal activities.
Tanaka said he expects that the study will help the development of technologies to change behaviors of harmful insects, such as flies and mosquitos. He added that he wants to continue to study different insects.
AloJapan.com