Interkingdom responses of flies to bacteria mediated by fly physiology and bacterial quorum sensing

► We measured blow fly responses to volatiles from wild-type and mutant (rfaL) strains of Proteus mirabilis. ► Our study is the first to demonstrate a link between blow fly physiology/behaviour and quorum sensing by bacteria. ► Food source, fly age, sex and ovarian status influenced flies' responses to wild-type and rfaL mutant P. mirabilis. ► Our results indicate a trophic interaction between blow flies and bacteria on ephemeral resources such as carrion.