Flies: Agricultural and Public-Health Perspectives

The term Flies apply to the insects belonging to the order Diptera. They are commonly known by the term’s flies, gnats, midges, leaf minors, etc. They often possess a pair of aristate antennae, a set of sponging type of mouthparts, two functional and developed forewings, which help in the flight while the two hindwings are reduced to halteres, which work as balancing organs during the flight. There are several flies, which affect our agricultural and horticultural crops as pests and reduce the crop yield substantially. There are others, which act as vectors and spread various diseases in human beings and animals of veterinary importance. Majority of them facilitate the crop pollination, increasing the crop yield. Certain flies are involved in environmental engineering, decomposition of wastes and nutrients recycling. Several other flies work as parasitoids and predators of various pest species and are good biocontrol agents. They form an important component of Biointensive- and Integrated Pest Management. But all flies are not obnoxious to human beings. Several flies are also helpful in solving the death mysteries. In view of great economic values of flies, I have decided to bring out a book exclusively devoted to flies. The present book starts with a chapter on Introduction of Flies, followed by Insects of Agricultural and Horticultural importance, Flies as Vectors and Beneficial Flies. This book has been planned with a holistic approach to bring to the fore both the positive and negative aspects of flies. Further each chapter has been designed: 1. To have point wise Learning Objectives in the beginning of each chapter, 2. Conclusions and Points to Remember at the end of the chapter. 3. This approach makes the book students and readers friendly. This book will not only be quite useful to the students Entomology, Public Health, Agriculture, applied life-sciences but also to those involved in Policy Planning and Vector Management. In addition, the students preparing for competitive examinations and public at large will also be benefitted.