Scientists engineer ‘virgin birth’ in fruit flies after finding genetic cause

Also known as facultative parthenogenesis, virgin birth has been documented in species of birds, fish, lizards and snakes, and more recently in crocodiles.

A fruit fly born through a virgin birth (Jose Casal/PeterLawrence/PA)

Scientists have engineered “virgin birth” in female fruit flies after pinpointing its genetic cause.

Like most animals, fruit fries reproduce sexually – where the egg is fertilised by sperm.