About flies

This blog is about flies, which make up an incredibly underappreciated 10% of the world’s biodiversity. I don’t intend to make it comprehensive, as there are lots of other websites that attempt to fulfill that goal. Rather, my aim is to convey how amazing, beautiful and interesting these creatures can be.

0 comments on “About flies

  1. Kristen says:

    Brian, this blog is amazing! I love it and am going to share it with all the GI staff!

    Kristen Metzger

    • phoridae says:

      Thanks Kristin, I’m glad you like it.

      • Aviel says:

        Some experts blieeve a tiny mite from India could be killing the bees. Others say it could be something called Dwindling Hive Disease, seen on the east coast last summer, in which bees lose instinct and memory.Local agricultural officials aren’t ruling out pesticides as the cause but in both cases they are also looking at the possibility that a predatory mite has invaded these hives. The verroa mite can devastate a bee colony. But researchers say the cause may be simple malnutrition.Eric Mussen, UC Davis: We do know that if the bees aren’t well fed if the bees don’t get a good mix of quality pollen then they are weaker. There is also a chance that the losses in bee populations is a naturally occurring phenomenon. Similar to fluctuations in population have been documented in the 1960 s and the 70 s. Still state officials are keeping a watchful eye on the situation fearful it may become a permanent problem.

  2. John Riley says:

    I’ve been reading about the phorid fly infecting and preying on honey bees and have just now collected three or four bees I found under the porch light this morning from a hive that is “in the shade” from the light and about 50 feet away. I have noticed a few headless dead bees here and there, hence the curiosity. Will report back if any phorids emerge from my corpses. The bees are recently installed package bees in east Texas.

  3. dan vetter says:

    You mentioned earlier that the Thai rainforest is crawling with leeches. Are there any flies that parasitize them?

    • phoridae says:

      Not that I know of, but many flies, especially phorids, have unknown life histories. Wouldn’t it be amazing if someone found a leech-parasitizing fly!

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