What are vestigial wings?

Vestigial wings are wings found on flies that cannot be used for flight. They are caused due to defects in the vestigial gene, which is necessary for proper wing growth.

Vestigial wings are the result of a mutation in the fly's genes. The mutation directly affects wing development without affecting the overall growth and development of the fly. The mutation causes the wings to form as short, crumpled stubs, and may be the result of the temperature they endured in their hatching stage. The vestigial gene is recessive, and the mutation may only occur if both parent flies carried the mutation in their genes.