Buzzing insects may be seen as pests – but globally, hundreds of fly species migrate over long distances, with major benefits for people and nature, new research shows.
Bugs such as houseflies, fruitflies, blowflies, hoverflies and mosquitoes all belong to an order called Diptera – which contains over 125,000 known species, and possibly over a million in total.
The new study finds that almost 600 of these species are likely to be migratory – and the true number is probably far higher.
This is important because these insects play multiple important roles, including as pollinators, pest controllers and decomposers.
A pied hoverfly. (Photo Credit: Dr Will Hawkes)
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