Contents



Preface

Diptera, or true flies, are of considerable economic importance. Pestiferous groups can have significant effects on agriculture, animal and human health, and forestry. Other groups can be a general nuisance when present in large numbers or because of allergic reactions due to detached body setae. Despite these negative effects, flies have a valuable role as scavengers, parasitoids and predators of other insects, pollinators, food for predators, bio-indicators of water quality, and tools for scientific research. The basic features of Diptera are the presence of an anterior pair of wings and a posterior pair of club-like balancing organs called

This book presents a beautiful and useful account of research on Diptera. It is an

Chapter 2 reviews systematics and taxonomy of the parasitic larvae of *Philornis downsi* Dodge and Aitken (Diptera: Muscidae). It discusses shifts in feeding habits across the species, comparing basal to more recently evolved groups, as well as examines the differences in the ontogeny of wild and captive *P. downsi* larvae, describes what is known about adult *P. downsi* behavior, and discusses changes in

Chapter 3 on life cycle and cytogenetic study of the mosquito *Culex quinquefasciatus* Say is especially good for evolutionary and genetic studies involving chromosomal

Chapter 4 highlights important information about the yellow fever mosquito *Aedes aegypti* (Diptera: Culicidae) and the identification and quantification of the main breeding sites for this vector. In addition, this chapter compares the characteristics

Chapter 5 characterizes the proliferation sites of *Ae. aegypti* in artificial breeding

sites in order to examine new strategies for controlling these mosquitoes.

Chapter 6 is on post-embryonic development of *Aedes* (*Stegomyia*) *aegypti* at different temperatures and Co2 concentrations, and their influences on hatching

*P. downsi* behavior first discovered in Darwin's finch nest.

Chapter 1 explores aspects of the biology, ecology, physiology, behavior, taxonomy,

indispensable resource for entomologists, biologists, and naturalists.

and morphology of Diptera. Life histories, habits and habitats, diversity, classification and phylogeny, and detailed keys and diagrams for the correct identification of the more common species of flies are particularly useful sections. All of the world's fly families are included, ranging from common deer flies and fruit flies to deadly tsetse flies and mosquitoes. The illustrated keys linked to the coverage of the world's fly families and subfamilies enable the reader to identify most flies quickly and accurately. This chapter also focuses on strategies for involving the wider community in the control of these pests and development of

halteres.

control programs.

polymorphism.

and similarities of the *Aedes* species.

and development of stabilized population.
