Why do flies fly around in a smal circle just below the ceiling light in the middle of the room?

Question

I've lived in my apartment for about 10 years now and have always wondered why they do that. It happens mainly in the lounge room and less often in the bedrooms and for many hours during the day. They are small to medium sized flies and often fly in groups of two or three.

Answer 1

That's pure coincidence.

Flies fly in open space, they normally sense air movement throughout the room and locate the best open space for flying and take control of the territory.  

Females seek food while the males take control of the territory and are aggressive.

The coincidence is that normally the lamp in the ceiling is always located on the center of the room, approximately above where the flies fly, but they don't know it.

Answer 2

There is a theory that insects of many kind e.g. moths use the sun to track their positions if another bright lightsource come into play it may become confused and circle it trying to find its way back home

Answer 3

Because they cue up before the lights get switched on in the evening, like for a night club people rock up really early because by the time they get in it's almost midnight. The flies are just cuing up for the party.  

Answer 4

They are attracted to the light, and there must be some eggs there for them to keep going back, take it down and wash around the area.

Answer 5

insects like to fly towards light because it helps them see where they are going so they don't crash into things. turn off all lights except one source and they will fly there. turn off lights completely and they will land somewhere and hang out. if you have a fly problem you can try to darken your room as much as possible and leave some small opening to the outside that is very apparent and the fly will often times fly out into the great white yonder. my dad--who's a moron--likes to swap all of em and leave their dead carcasses all over the house :\

Answer 6

Flies, like most flying insects, are drawn towards light.  They aren't animals who intentionally stick together, but they will when drawn towards the same source of light

Answer 7

Another theory states that flies are attracted to their mates by some chemicals. Those chemicals may be found in the bulb so that the flies are attracted towards it.

Answer 8

My own secret theory is that they are backed up at the airport and waiting for an aircraft controller to give them permission to land.  People have said that's nuts, but if you think about it, what else could it possibly be?