Climate Change May Cause Fly Species to Become Extinct

Flies are an important part of the ecosystem. They help plants and animals pollinate one another. Some species even serve as parasites, reducing the population of crop-eating caterpillars. The biggest group of parasitic flies are the tachinids. These flies lay their eggs on crop-eating pests, and their larvae consume the pest and help reduce the use of chemical pesticides. Flies also serve as a food source for birds, frogs, and reptiles.

Climate change is a major threat to many species of flies. Recent studies have linked global warming to the apparent decline of many species. One such species is the bone skipper fly, which feeds on picked-over carcasses and emerges from hiding during the night. It was once thought to be extinct, but a recent paper suggests it may be returning.

Researchers have found that a species’ frightened response to the presence of predators can reduce the fecundity of its population, reducing its ability to produce offspring. In such circumstances, this may lead to population decline and ultimately extinction. The study results are reported in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B. The authors of the study are from the University of Guelph and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

The extent of the decline is unknown, but some researchers say that eradicating isolated populations of this insect could result in a reduction in the number of people susceptible to sleeping sickness. This disease is almost always fatal without treatment. Moreover, most of the victims are located in remote rural areas where access to health care is limited.

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