Posteclosion behavior of the flesh fly,Sarcophaga crassipalpis: A comparison of wild-type and unicorn mutants

Newly emerged flies go through a stereotypic behavioral pattern of walking, grooming, abdomen contraction (pulsing), and active uptake of air (pumping). These behavioral activities can be readily distinguished on the basis of hemolymph pressure changes. Wild-type flies and a unicorn mutant that fails to properly retract its ptilinum show identical patterns of posteclosion activity. However, a portion of the unicorns do not fully expand their wings and abdomen. Such flies are missing only the pumping component of the normal behavioral repertory, thus implying that pulsing and pumping are independently controlled.