Mating Assay (IMAGE) Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology Caption Mating experiments with Drosophila melanogaster: Although infected flies produce higher amounts of sex pheromones to attract mates, mating assays revealed that the increased sexual attractiveness of sick flies does not lead to increased reproductive success. Whether males, females or both were infected, mating success was low. Therefore an increased pheromone production benefits only the pathogens, whose dispersal is enhanced. Healthy flies, on the other hand, are lured to a deadly trap. Credit Anna Schroll Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.