The Society for the study of flies (Diptera)

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 ...

• So how do I join?
• Benefits of membership
• Objectives of Dipterists Forum
• Diptera recording schemes

I don't know whether you have seen my post about Stackpole but there are some nice, albeit not totally unusual photos of the regulars!

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/natureplus/blogs/diptera-blog

A quick reminder to get the following important dates in your diary: 27-28 November 2010, Dipterists Day and DF AGM at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PW. Access to the collections (and hopefully also the library) will be available on Friday 26 November as well as Sat 27th and Sun 28th.  On the Saturday there will be a full and interesting programme of talks.  Details posted as soon as known.  If you are considering joining DF, why not come along, listen and chat to us? You would be very welcome.  If you have never seen the Oxford University Museum, take it from me it is an amazing place and the insect collections are stupendous!  Judy

It is now July and the deadline for contributions to the next DF Bulletin is the end of this month (31st July).  I realise this is the peak of the field season, but if you have a minute, why not get your note or article in early? Darwyn and I are pleased to get them as soon as you like and would much appreciate a reduction in the email deluge on the 31st! Look inside the Bulletin for details of how to contribute.

For new visitors to this website the DF Bulletin has 60-70 pages with lots of news from all the fly recording schemes.   Interesting and full reports from all the field meetings, short articles and observations related to flies  Any one interested in Diptera can't afford to miss it.   The next issue will come out in mid-September.

All you non- DF members reading this - how about taking the plunge and actually joining so you get your own copy?  Remember basic membership of DF is a snip at still only £6, which entitles you to the 2 editions of the Bulletin every year, plus access to the REALLY useful areas of this website (you cannot get to these as a casual visitor or user!).

The Bulletin is now in a much more attractive format, with colour photographs for the front and back covers and with much higher definition reproduction of all photographs inside.  I assure you it is really worth it.   After publication, a PDF of the Bulletin is available as a download from this website to MEMBERS ONLY.  The advantage of seeing this is that you get to appreciate all the photos inside the Bulletin in FULL COLOUR.

Judy

Hi everyone,

Last year we moved of the British and World collection of Diptera (and the rest of the Insects except the beetles and bugs) into their new home in the Darwin Centre. At the same time we also developed a synoptic collection of British Diptera which is located in the AMC for UK Biodiversity at the Museum and is open for all to go and use. Whilst doing this we were able to assess the state of the collection and do an inventory of what we have and don't have.

Here is where i would like some help. We have created a spreadsheet of all the British Diptera (well we borrowed and adapted the Dipterists Forum one!!) and beside each species we have a code. 

http://www.dipteristsforum.org.uk/documents/British Collection.xls

It is relatively easy code which if it is a 'y' it means that we have more than 5 specimens in the collection, if there is a number beside it that is the exact amount. What we would really like is to develop a comprehensive collection and therefore would appreciate any British specimens to help us fill the gaps. Being the NHM we do require a letter of transfer but I can organise most of that to save people the hassle of the forms.

You will also know that some of the groups have yet to have the code entered e.g. Drosophila. We have to complete this!

Thank you in advance for any help or donations and if you have any queries regarding this or anything else about the collection please do not hesitate to contact me

Cheers,

Erica

e.mcalister@nhm.ac.uk

Dr Erica McAlister
Curator of Diptera
Department of Entomology
Natural History Museum
London
SW7 5BD

We had an excellent meeting although there were very few flies.  Some of the goodies so far:

Caliprobola speciosa - a rather smart deadwood hoverfly (photo attached) whose larvae develop in rotten beech roots.
Psilota anthracina - a metallic blue hoverfly that is associated with sap runs.  The first time I've ever seen it.
Ctenophora flaveolata - one of the rarer deadwood craneflies - a smart beast - I'll see if I can find a photo.
Pandivirilla melaleuca - a stiletto fly whose larvae develop in very dry dead wood - there are very few records of adults.

These are all well-known Windsor specials but have not been reported for nearly two decades

Best wishes

Roger