A laser beam can alter a fly’s behavior and make it mate with just about anything — even a ball of wax, according to scientists at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. The researchers have developed an experiment which involves shining an infrared laser directly at the head of a fly whose brain has been altered using heat-activated proteins. This alteration allows the laser, dubbed the “Fly Mind-Altering Device” (FlyMAD), to activate specific neurons involved in mating.
In the experiment, turning on FlyMAD caused a fly to suddenly “court” the closest object in its vicinity — in this case, a ball of wax — by circling it and vibrating its wings. The resulting behavioral modification was so strong that it persisted for about 15 minutes after the laser was turned off.
via The Verge
