Flightless fruit flies ( Order Diptera) encompass a variety of different species of fly, such as Drosophila melanogaster, Bactrocera cucurbitae, Bactrocera dorsalis, and Drosophila hydei, with genetic mutations that cause them to be flightless. ^[1] These genetic mutations may have different results such as the development of muscles that cannot support flight or even result in the lack of wings entirely. ^[2] Flightless fly models have been especially useful for the study of human neuromuscular diseases such as spinal muscular atrophy, spinobulbar muscular atrophy, myotonic dystrophy, dystrophinopathies and other inherited neuromuscular diseases. ^{[3] [4]} Applications of flightless flies are extremely varied, even being used as test subjects in aeronautical research. ^[5]

Uses for feeding pets

Other applications of flightless flies include using them as convenient feeders for a variety of companion animals, usually small reptiles such as geckos, ^[6] being highly versatile due to their small size. ^[7] Fruit flies are a useful source of protein for captive ant colonies. They can be fed to a colony dead or alive and whilst they are best used for small colonies, fruit flies can also be given to larger ones. ^[8]

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