Your Fruit Fly Has a Problem

Fruit fly larvae have unusually high alcohol tolerance, which scientists used to think was because they happen to feed on yeast in rotting fruit. Turns out they’re in it for the alcohol, too — as medication. According to a new study*, alcohol protects them from the wasp parasites that lay eggs in fruit fly larvae… Despite what certain human drinkers out there may claim, these are the first results that show any organism successfully self-medicating itself with alcohol against infection.

Are you rolling your eyes at us with that last sentence? Moral of this story: never pour alcohol down the drain.