Steve wrote:
> 
> On Sun, 26 Mar 2000 22:37:19 +0300, Peter Popov wrote:
> >The unison seems to be localised in domains of a couple of meters in
> >size. If two trees are adjacent it way happen that the touching parts
> >flash together. Or if a tree is big enough several big flashing spots
> >may be observed. It is a yet unexplained phenomenon afaik.
> 
> Maybe the flashing isn't 100% in their controle, say caused or influenced
> by solar winds or something.

According to a Scientific American article several years ago, the 
synchronized flashing happens because the probability that a bug flashes
does not only increase with time but also with flashes in their 
vicinity.
So bugs which are almost synchronisized will soon synchronize
completely. 
The others will "drift" until they come in sync and then be locked into 
the rythm too.

	hp 

-- 
   _  | Peter J. Holzer             | Think of it as evolution in action
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