Beyond the buzz: why flies are the most fascinating insects you ignore
In short: Dr. Erica McAlister, Senior Curator of Diptera, opens the Natural History Museum's vault to reveal the hidden world of flies. From rare species to masters of mimicry and strange parasites, this look at the collection challenges everything you thought you knew about these common insects.
The Natural History Museum in London houses a massive collection of 2.5 to 4 million fly specimens, a fraction of the 80 million total objects kept by the institution. This episode explores the diversity of the order Diptera, addressing common questions about their biology, including whether they can be venomous, their wing structures, and which species holds the title for the world's largest fly.
The collection highlights include the bizarre bovine botfly and examples of remarkable mimicry, where flies have evolved to resemble other creatures. By examining these specimens, the museum showcases the surprising science behind insects that are often overlooked, demonstrating that they are far more complex and varied than their reputation suggests.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Discover Diptera: marvellous mimics to bizarre botflies | Hidden Treasures | S1 EP5
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