Woodpecker Flies: the Mysterious & Mighty Medetera — by Cynthia Brast
Details
Woodpecker flies, with their odd-looking stilt-legged stance, are in the genus Medetera of the mostly-predatory family Dolichopodidae (which is sometimes called the long-legged flies). The genus is very large with at least 350 species worldwide. Several species seem to be recorded from Washington, but info is sparse! Wikipedia says: "Medetera adults are predators of soft-bodied arthropods, while the larvae are predators of bark beetle larvae."
Cynthia says: "I am going to talk about the interesting life history and ecological value of Woodpecker flies as a pest predator of bark beetles - with emphasis on their roles in NW forests, but also globally. I’ll touch on how populations may increase (in response to beetle infestation) in fire damaged landscapes. I will also include a tiny mention about a possible roles in agricultural pest control - new research in control of thrips in Holland."
Cynthia Brast-Bormann is a conservation entomologist, former beekeeper, and scientific editor with expertise in honey bee health, sustainable pest management, and the ecological significance of insects and spiders. She brings a science-based and practical perspective to education and outreach, with particular interest in the often-overlooked role of flies.
Be sure to attend this one, you're sure to learn things you never knew before!