Summer days, filled with the promise of outdoor relaxation, can quickly be punctuated by the persistent buzz of flies. Often seen as mere nuisances, these ubiquitous insects trigger an immediate swatting reflex. However, before you reach for the fly swatter, consider this: flies are far more than just summer pests. They play surprisingly crucial roles in our ecosystems and even our lives. So, what exactly is a fly’s purpose? Let’s delve into the fascinating world of flies and uncover their often-overlooked importance.
Why Flies Flourish in Warm Weather
The summertime surge in fly populations isn’t random; it’s a direct result of environmental factors. Winter rainfall, food availability, and, most significantly, rising temperatures all contribute to the fly boom. Flies are ectothermic, meaning their body temperature is regulated by their surroundings. Warmer temperatures accelerate their metabolism and activity levels.
As temperatures climb, many insect species, including flies, emerge from a dormant winter phase. Spring and summer mark the active adult stage of their life cycle. These adult flies are mobile, hungry, and focused on reproduction, leading to increased interactions with humans during the warmer months. Think of it as an extended spring break for insects, coinciding with our own outdoor season.
Pollination Champions: More Than Just Bees
When we think of pollination, bees and butterflies often come to mind. However, flies are actually highly effective and often underappreciated pollinators. In fact, many of the ingredients in your summer barbecue owe their existence to fly pollination. Unlike bees, which efficiently collect pollen in specialized leg baskets, flies lack these structures. This means that the pollen that adheres to their hairy bodies is readily available to pollinate subsequent flowers they visit.
Dr. Bryan Lessard, also known as “Bry the Fly Guy” from the Australian National Insect Collection, emphasizes the pollination prowess of flies, particularly horseflies. “Horseflies are great pollinators because they’re so hairy,” he explains.
Research from the University of New England further highlights the effectiveness of flies as pollinators, showing that common blow flies can carry more pollen on their bodies than honeybees. While female horseflies are known to occasionally feed on blood to obtain proteins for egg development, their primary food source is nectar, making them consistent flower visitors and effective pollen carriers for a variety of plants. Beyond the fruits and vegetables we directly consume, flies also play a role in pollinating hops for beer, apples for cider, and grapes for wine – contributing to some of our favorite beverages.
Flies as a Food Source: Supporting the Food Web
While flies might be unwelcome guests at our picnics, they are a vital food source for a wide range of animals that we value. Birds, lizards, and frogs all rely on flies as a significant part of their diet. Even domestic animals like dogs sometimes enjoy a fly snack. Insects, including flies, are fundamental to the food web, and emerging research indicates their potential to play an even larger role in food security.
Beyond being food for wild animals, flies are being explored as a sustainable food source for farmed animals. Instead of viewing flies as pests, we can harness their rapid growth and nutrient content to feed livestock. Studies have demonstrated that black soldier fly larvae meal can effectively replace conventional agricultural feed for animals like chickens, pigs, alligators, and farmed seafood, including blue tilapia, Atlantic salmon, and prawns, without negative health impacts. This innovative approach could significantly contribute to feeding a growing global population more sustainably.
Nature’s Waste Recyclers: Cleaning Up Our World
Flies are nature’s cleanup crew, playing a crucial role in decomposition and waste management. They consume decaying organic matter, including animal waste and rotting carcasses, effectively removing it from the environment. The black soldier fly is particularly adept at waste recycling. A single female can lay up to 600 larvae, and each larva can consume half a gram of organic waste daily. Collectively, a small colony of black soldier fly larvae can process an entire household’s green waste bin annually.
Flies act as essential scavengers, preventing the accumulation of rotting organic matter. Without flies, the world would be overwhelmed with waste and decaying carcasses. This natural recycling process not only cleans our environment but also converts waste into valuable biomass, which can then be used as feed or fertilizer. Flies are essentially transforming waste into resources, providing a free and essential environmental service.
Medical Maggots: Healing with Fly Larvae
The idea of maggots might be unsettling, but these fly larvae have remarkable medical applications. Maggot therapy, also known as biosurgery, utilizes maggots to clean gangrenous wounds and promote healing. Historically, maggots were observed to aid wound healing as far back as the American Civil War.
Specifically, larvae from sheep blowflies are used to treat diabetic ulcers, bedsores, and other chronic wounds. The maggots selectively consume dead and infected tissue, effectively cleaning the wound. Furthermore, their saliva contains antibacterial properties and stimulates the growth of new, healthy tissue. While maggot therapy is a highly effective treatment, it is conducted under strict medical supervision by trained “maggot nurses” who monitor the process. Once the maggots have completed their task, they naturally detach from the wound.
Beauty in Flies: Beyond the Buzz
While often overlooked, flies exhibit remarkable beauty and diversity. Consider the Lecomyia notha soldier fly from Queensland, Australia, with its iridescent purple exoskeleton resembling an opal galaxy. Even fly experts are captivated by their aesthetic appeal.
Dr. Bry the Fly Guy recounts discovering a new species of fly with a striking golden abdomen while examining specimens at the Australian National Insect Collection. Inspired by its vibrant color, he named it Plinthina beyonceae after the iconic performer Beyoncé.
Next time you find yourself swatting at a fly on a warm summer day, remember their multifaceted roles in our world. Flies are not merely pests; they are pollinators, recyclers, food sources, and even medical allies. They are integral to healthy ecosystems and contribute to our lives in ways we are only beginning to fully appreciate. Australia’s rich biodiversity, including its diverse fly species, is a valuable asset. Conserving this biodiversity ensures the continuation of the countless benefits that insects, including flies, provide to our planet and our well-being.
