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In the dense foliage of a Greek orange grove, male fruit flies advertise at their peril. These tiny suitors are Mediterranean fruit flies: the females are pests that inject their eggs into citrus fruit and the developing larvae destroy them. Gathered in full view on the leaves, each male produces a droplet of scent from his rear. This is an aphrodisiac to lure the females in. Broadcasting with their bottoms, the males signal their availability and their exact position in the dense foliage. This aerial scent trail can be detected several hundred metres away and quickly attracts customers. The arrival of the female causes an outbreak of vigorous wing fanning as the males try to waft a stream of perfume her way. If she likes what she ‘smells’, she approaches the source and her presence sends the male into a frenzy. Her staunch attendance to his performance signals that he may proceed to the sexual finale. But such obtrusive behaviour has its dangers. There are other customers on the wing! Predatory wasps have learned to home in on the male fruit fly’s alluring scent. Couples preoccupied with mating are easy prey. The dismembered victims are taken back to the wasp’s nest.