Summer flies have ruined many a family barbecue but, until now, it’s been impossible to put a name to the pest.
Thanks to UQ’s Centre for Biological Information Technology (CBIT) identification software Lucid™, it is now possible to identify the culprits.
The CBIT, with the Australian Biological Resources Study, have published On the Fly: The Interactive Atlas and Key to Australian Fly Families, a CD ROM which provides a simple way to identify fly families and learn about their biology.
On the Fly was recently awarded a commendation at the prestigious Whitley Awards.
The Whitley Awards are presented annually by the Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales for outstanding publications on Australian fauna.
Dr David Yeates, project coordinator and CSIRO Entomology fly expert, said the recognition was well-deserved.
“I am so pleased that the team has received recognition for the great work they did,” Dr Yeates said.
“The CD was a truly collaborative effort between CSIRO, the Australian Museum, The University of Queensland, University of California (Davis), USA and University of Guelph, Canada.
“It should be of interest to anyone interested in the natural world.”
The CD ROM contains many features which make it an invaluable tool for amateur and professional entomologists, biology students and teachers, land managers and environmental consultants.
There are an estimated 300,000 species of flies, yet only 20 percent have been identified so far.
While flies may be pesky co-inhabitants of this continent, they also perform important ecological functions such as nutrient recycling, predation and pollination.
Some play important biological and ecological roles such as regulating pest populations.
On the Fly: The Interactive Atlas and Key to Australian Fly Families costs $59 and can be ordered from the CBIT website.
Media: Further information, Matthew Taylor, Director, CBIT (3365 1851) or Penny Robinson (3365 9723, penny.robinson@uq.edu.au)
