On 18-Feb-14, at 8:48 AM, Peter L Borst wrote:

>   It may be that they, and flies, will do this, but it may be only  
> briefly, in preparation for landing on a surface like a ceiling  
> (underside of a flower petal?).

Hi Peter and All

Early in my 30 year career with Ontario Hydro,  a couple of workmates  
and I found ourselves at loose ends one day.  We were talking,  
drinking coffee and watching several flies buzzing around the  
ceiling.  The question became: How do flies land on the ceiling?   
While flying near the ceiling, the fly's wings are up, but on  
landing, the wings are down.  Now with several engineering types  
observing, the answer was: The fly reaches over its head with its  
front legs, catches hold of the ceiling, flips over, ends up facing  
the opposite direction to it's flight before flipping.  The fly  
doesn't fly upside down.  Isn't it amazing how young guys can solve  
the world's problem's while goofing off.

Bob Darrell
Caledon Ontario
Canada
44N80W

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