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When a housefly is in flight, its wings beat incredibly fast, typically between 200 to 300 times per second (or Hz). This rapid wing movement is what allows houseflies to be highly maneuverable in the air, enabling them to change direction quickly and evade predators.
To put this in perspective, the frequency of their wing beats is much faster than that of many larger flying insects, such as bees, whose wings beat around 200 times per second. The exact rate can vary depending on factors such as the fly’s size and environmental conditions
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Yes, there have been scientific estimates about the amount of insects or insect matter that humans inadvertently consume annually, particularly in the context of food contamination.
A 2019 study published by the Scientific American estimated that the average American consumes about one to two pounds of insects and insect fragments each year. This comes from processed foods like grains, vegetables, fruit, and other food products that contain insect parts as a natural byproduct of farming and production practices. While this may sound concerning, these fragments are typically present in such small amounts that they are harmless and fall within the allowable limits set by the FDA.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has established guidelines under the Food Defect Action Levels, which allow certain levels of insect parts in food products like peanut butter, wheat flour, and canned vegetables, as complete elimination is impossible without compromising food production. For example, wheat flour can legally contain up to 75 insect fragments per 50 grams.
These estimates suggest that, while the thought of eating insects may be unappealing to some, consuming small amounts is an unavoidable and safe part of a typical diet.
Sources:
Scientific American, 2019
FDA's Food Defect Action Levels