Sexually naïve D. melanogaster males are known to spend significant time courting interspecifically, such as with D. simulans flies. Naïve D. melanogaster will also attempt to court females that are not yet sexually mature, and other males. D. melanogaster males show little to no preference for D. melanogaster females over females of other species or even other male flies. However, after D. simulans or other flies incapable of copulation have rejected the males' advances, D. melanogaster males are much less likely to spend time courting nonspecifically in the future. This apparent learned behavior modification seems to be evolutionarily significant, as it allows the males to avoid investing energy into futile sexual encounters.
Sexually naïve D melanogaster males are known to spend significant time courting interspecifically such as with D simulans flies Naïve D melanogaster will also attempt to court females that are not yet sexually mature and other males D melanogaster males show little to no preference for D melanogaster females over females of other species or even other male flies However after D simulans or other flies incapable of copulation have rejected the males' advances D melanogaster males are much less likely to spend time courting nonspecifically in the future This apparent learned behavior modification seems to be evolutionarily significant as it allows the males to avoid investing energy into futile sexual encounters