Zebra stripes are dazzling B次元官网网址� particularly to flies.

ThatB次元官网网址檚 the conclusion of scientists from the University of Bristol and the University of California at Davis who dressed horses in black-and-white striped coats to help determine why zebras have stripes.

The researchers found that fewer horseflies landed on the cloaked horses than on the ones without striped coats, suggesting that zebra stripes may offer protection from blood-sucking insects that can spread disease.

B次元官网网址淭his reduced ability to land on the zebraB次元官网网址檚 coat may be due to stripes disrupting the visual system of the horse flies during their final moments of approach,B次元官网网址� said Martin How, a research fellow at the University of Bristol. B次元官网网址淪tripes may dazzle flies in some way once they are close enough to see them with their low-resolution eyes.B次元官网网址�

From a distance, the flies were equally attracted to both horses and zebras, with the same number of insects hovering around both types of animals. But when the flies got closer, things get dicey. The flies landed less frequently on the zebras and the horses covered in striped coats.

READ MORE:

B次元官网网址淥nce they get close to the zebras, however, they tend to fly past or bump into them,B次元官网网址� said Tim Caro, a professor in the U.C. Davis Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology. B次元官网网址淭his indicates that stripes may disrupt the fliesB次元官网网址� abilities to have a controlled landing.B次元官网网址�

The work , reported in the journal Public Library of Science ONE, seeks to answer one of the oldest questions in zoology B次元官网网址� why do zebras have stripes? Charles Darwin had his theories. So did British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace.

But the scientists from Britain and California sought to examine that question by studying both horses and zebras at the Hill Livery in Britain, which works with zoos in Europe on conservation for zebras. That provided a controlled environment where the horses could be dressed up and closely observed to test the theory.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 one of those pieces of research that you say, B次元官网网址榳hy hasnB次元官网网址檛 someone done this before?B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� said Tim Woodfine, the director of conservation at Marwell Wildlife in southern England. He did not take part in the study. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 simple and neat. I think itB次元官网网址檚 a great piece of work,B次元官网网址� he said.

How, an expert on animal vision, told The Associated Press on Thursday there are reasons to be B次元官网网址渜uite excitedB次元官网网址� about the research, which he said helps scientists understand whatB次元官网网址檚 happening in the mind of a fly.

The insights have broader implications for technology such as driverless cars, which are inspired by insect vision. If stripes disrupt a fly, they might also disrupt a driverless carB次元官网网址檚 systems, according to How.

B次元官网网址淲hat we needed to do is get our mind into the eye of the fly,B次元官网网址� How said. B次元官网网址淭hey have very different eyes from us.B次元官网网址�

Erica McAlister, the senior curator of flies and fleas at the Natural History Museum in London, said the research contributes information to a subject long debated by scientists.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e been arguing about zebra stripes for 75 years,B次元官网网址� said McAlister, who was also not involved in the study.

READ MORE:

But there are also human applications. How says from now on, heB次元官网网址檚 wearing stripes while riding his bicycle during horse-fly season.

Caro hopes the study will underscore the wonders that remain to be discovered in the natural world.

B次元官网网址淚f we can try to pique the publicB次元官网网址檚 appreciation of the wonders of nature, theyB次元官网网址檒l be less cavalier about destroying it,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 my hope.

Danica Kirka, The Associated Press

Like us on and follow us on .