Welcome
The Diptera ("di-ptera" = two-winged) or "true flies" is the largest order of animals in the UK with around 7,000 known species and new ones being discovered every year. They are found in all habitats from the sea shore to mountain tops. Whilst some are agricultural pests or vectors of disease, the great majority are beneficial. They are extremely important as predators on other pests and diseases, as pollinators, as food for other animals and the immature stages of the bulk of the species are involved in the decay of organic matter and the recycling of material back into the soil.
Entomologists who specialise in these insects are "dipterists". In 1993, a group of people who wanted to find out more about every aspect of their lives, including the habitats they require, set up the Dipterists Forum. There is a great deal still to learn about flies. Mapping the distribution of some groups is a major achievement of the Dipterists Forum to date, but the immature stages of the majority of species are still unknown. Many species are becoming increasingly rare as a result of habitat loss and climate change.
Why not join the Dipterists Forum and help us find out more about flies? There is so much still to learn; we welcome beginners and there are always people who can help you out in the early stages. You don’t need to be an expert, or even to leave your own garden, to contribute to our knowledge of these fascinating insects. Flies need your help! Read more ...
Dipterists Days and AGM 2009
This 2 day event is being held at the Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, Sat 28th-Sun29th November. We hope to see many of you there. The talks look very interesting and it is a great opportunity to have access to the Diptera collections held at the NHM. Also there are the important AGM and the networking and socialising opportunities; plus don't forget to bring along a fly exhibit and possibly win the £25 prize! I'm posting the details of the programme here:
Page 1: http://jwebb1.webs.com/Annual%20Meeting … ge%201.pdf
Page 2: http://jwebb1.webs.com/Annual%20meeting … ge%202.pdf
Page 3: http://jwebb1.webs.com/An%20meeting%20a … 9%20V2.pdf
Judy
Dipterological Books for Sale
In a recent posting I described the sad news of Peter Skidmore's passing. His good friend Paul Buckland is now assisting Peter's family in disposing of his library and has asked me to inform interested parties. A full list of the books available can be found on the Thorne & Hatfield Conservation Forum website at http://www.thmcf.org:80/aboutps_lib.htm. A link there can be used to contact Paul directly. This represents an ideal opportunity to obtain copies of some very useful books which are now out of print.
Malcolm Smart
Dipterological Events update
I have updated the Dipterological Events listing (in News and Announcements Forum) as far as I know it into 2010. Do take a look and sign up for anything that looks interesting to you, as there will be strong competion for places at some events or workshops.
Judy
Sad News
It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of Peter Skidmore at the weekend. Peter was one of the world's great Dipterists, and a wonderful character. He will be sorely missed.
Malcolm Smart
Dipterists Digest 16(1)
The lastest issue of Dipterists Digest (Vol 16, part 1) had arrived when I got back from the Dipterists Summer Field Meeting - and it is a bumper issue containing 32 items. The contents list is now on the web-site.
Remember that you can search the entire run of Dipterists Digest for articles. That is all 45 issues from both series - 755 articles to date!
Just click "Dipterists Digest" in the menu bar at the top of the page, type the word you want to search for in the box and click the [Search] button. It is not case-sensitive and it will find any words starting with the term that you you typed (e.g. type "syrph" and it will find "Syrphus", "syrphid", "Syrphidae", etc.). It searches the author's surname(s), fly families referred to in the article and words in the title.