Plant Swap, AGM, and Introduction to the Fly Order Diptera

Steve Marshall is a university professor emeritus and director of the U of G insect collection, author of several books including major overviews of Flies, Beetles and Wasps, as well as a couple of hundred  journal articles on systematics of acalyptrate Diptera. Some people in the group will know  the speaker’s general book on the natural history and diversity of insects, or perhaps the Canadian Journal of Arthropod Identification. The most recent book, (Hymenoptera: the Natural History and Diversity of Wasps, Bees and Ants) won the Dartmouth medal (best reference book) for 2023, and for that reason it is widely available in libraries and some attendees might know it.

Flies make up the largest and arguably the most interesting chunk of the planet’s biodiversity, so they should be of interest to every naturalist.

Let’s join Steve as  he introduces us to the fly order (Diptera) with a simple overview of the main groups of flies followed by a closer look at some of the most diverse … and least known … families of flies.