Natural resource sciences professor Terry Wheeler is doing his part to add a little lustre to the image of the humble fly. He and his graduate students make up the largest group of fly researchers in Canada and they've discovered several new species over the past few years. The ones that are the best known are the pests the ones that breed in filth and transmit disease. But there are over 7,000 species known in Canada. It's the biggest group of insects in the country.
Some flies act as parasites for other pest species, keeping their numbers down.
Tachinid flies, for instance, ensure that the gypsy moth population never spirals out of control. Flies are also a little more exotic than they're given credit for. So, a little respect before you swat. Published by the University Relations Office, the Reporter publishes bi-weekly during the academic year and is available throughout McGill's downtown and Macdonald campuses.