“That’s a lot of flies,” one might exclaim, echoing sentiments of both awe and perhaps a little disgust at the sheer ubiquity of these insects. Even for seasoned entomologists, the fly world remains shrouded in mystery, starting with a fundamental question: just how many flies are there in existence?
The question isn’t merely academic. As our planet faces environmental shifts, understanding insect populations, including flies, becomes crucial. A recent study on insect decline suggests a worrying trend potentially linked to global warming, making the need to understand and appreciate these creatures even more pressing.
The diversity within flies, or Diptera, is astounding. Beyond the common housefly, a plethora of species remain undiscovered or poorly understood. Take, for instance, the peculiar bone skipper fly. This insect, with its distinctive orange head, embodies the enigmatic nature of the fly world. It feeds on carcasses, but only after other scavengers have had their fill. Adding to its mystique, it emerges during winter nights and was even presumed extinct until its rediscovery just a few years ago. Rumors even circulate about its head glowing during mating – a detail that highlights the many unanswered questions surrounding flies.
Dr. McAlister, a champion for dipterology, recognizes the importance of nurturing the next generation of scientists to unravel these mysteries. She taps into the innate curiosity of young minds, much like what initially drew her to the field through observing the fascinating, if somewhat macabre, world of house cat leftovers and the insects they attract.
Dr. McAlister recounts engaging with children by introducing them to the world of maggots and decomposition, showcasing the “fun” side of these processes. One particularly inspired child took this lesson to heart, convincing his father to place a decaying chicken in their yard, complete with a strategically positioned iPhone to capture the spectacle of insect activity. The resulting video, shared with Dr. McAlister, is a testament to the power of sparking curiosity. She optimistically notes, “Hopefully, by inspiring this little kid to have a rotten chicken in his garden, we can spark their interest” in the broader world of insects.
The future of dipterology, the study of flies, hinges on such outreach and the cultivation of interest in these often-overlooked creatures. Unraveling the mysteries of flies, including the fundamental question of how many flies are there, requires a dedicated new generation captivated by the wonders hidden within the insect world.
