Magnetic field responses in Drosophila

Bassetto et al.1 reported that Drosophila are unable to detect magnetic fields using a conditioning2 and negative geotaxis assay3, and on this basis, they dismiss these and all further experimental studies published on Drosophila magnetic fields4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12. Critically, fly magnetic geotactic responses were replicated independently by Bae et al.12, yet this important and extensive confirmatory study is not discussed. Furthermore, Bae et al. successfully demonstrated a magnetic field conditioning response12, underlining how experienced Drosophila groups can successfully negotiate magnetic paradigms. I have reanalysed the data from all three geotactic experiments from Bassetto et al.1 and, despite serious flaws in methodology, their results reveal that Drosophila detect magnetic fields.