Leslie Massey
Australia is home to about 30,000 species of flies, with the bush fly, house fly, blowfly, and mosquito being the most common. Flies are a nuisance to humans and livestock, but they are also excellent pollinators and decomposers, playing a vital role in the ecosystem. Australia's dry climate and abundance of dung provide ideal conditions for flies to thrive, especially during the summer months. While they can be a persistent annoyance, deterring rather than killing them is recommended to maintain the ecological balance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of fly species in Australia | 30,000 |
| Common fly species in Australia | Bush fly, house fly, blowfly, mosquito |
| Food sources for flies | Rotting organic matter, dung, dead bodies, human sweat, tear glands of mammals, blood |
| Fly population control methods | Foreign dung beetles, insect repellent, citronella candles |
| Fly benefits | Pollination, decomposition, waste management, food source for birds |
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What You'll Learn
The role of flies in the ecosystem
Flies, or Diptera, as they are scientifically known, play a crucial and often positive role in the ecosystem. They are often seen as a nuisance, but they are vital to the planet. There are about 17 million flies for every human on Earth, and they have been around for a long time, as Dr David Yeates, director of the CSIRO's National Insect Collection, points out.
Flies are excellent pollinators, just like bees, and they are very good at it. They are also nature's recyclers, as they feed on decaying organic matter and waste, such as dung and dead bodies, and their larvae then become food for birds. Flies help keep the ecosystem clean and free of biological and organic waste. They also contribute vital ecosystem services to agroecosystems through their roles as crop pollinators and biological control agents of pests.
Female flies are adept at finding dung or rotting organic matter to lay their eggs in. The larvae then feed on this matter and grow into flies. The female fly can lay up to 1000 eggs in its short lifetime of 15-30 days. The females of some species seek out humans because they need protein, which they get from the moisture around our eyes, mouths, and noses, to make eggs.
Flies also have a negative impact on the ecosystem. They spread diseases, damage crops, and kill other insects like spiders and dragonflies.
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Why flies are attracted to humans
Flies are attracted to humans for a variety of reasons, primarily related to their scavenging nature and sensory perception. Firstly, flies are attracted to the human body's natural warmth and the carbon dioxide it emits. They are also drawn to moisture, salt, and other substances on the skin, such as sugars, proteins, carbohydrates, and oils, which they can taste with their feet. The human body, with its various scents and secretions, offers a sense of nourishment to flies, similar to their favourite food sources like faeces, food, and rotting flesh.
Flies have a strong sense of smell and complex eyes that cover half of their heads, making them adept at locating potential food sources. They are constantly on the lookout for suitable places to defecate, vomit (to liquefy solid food), and lay their eggs. This behaviour, combined with their attraction to humans, makes them vectors of communicable diseases, including typhoid and tuberculosis.
Maintaining a clean and sanitary environment is crucial to reducing fly attraction. This includes regularly disposing of dog faeces, covering food, maintaining kitchen hygiene, and emptying garbage cans frequently. Ensuring proper ventilation and screening of windows and doors can also help keep flies at bay.
Additionally, certain human behaviours can make one more susceptible to fly attraction. For example, sweet, fruity scents from soaps, shampoos, or grooming products with alcohol can attract fruit flies. Similarly, taller individuals within a group are more likely to be targeted by flies.
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Different types of flies in Australia
Australia is home to about 30,000 species of flies, but only a few are commonly encountered. These include the house fly, the bush fly, the blowfly, and the mosquito.
The house fly, a major carrier of disease, infests all types of premises and is attracted to all types of food, including human food, pet food, animal feed, food waste, and even faeces. House flies are similar in appearance to the bush fly but are larger, measuring 15–25mm in length. They have four large, transparent 'lacey' wings with more vertical than horizontal veins. House flies breed in mostly meat-derived substances, sometimes cheese, and are common pests of dead rodents and birds.
The bush fly, Musca vetustissima, is the iconic Australian fly and is found countrywide. They rely on excrement to reproduce, which was initially scarce in the dry Australian continent. However, with the introduction of ruminants, their population exploded. Adult bush flies seek out large animals, including humans, and are attracted to sweat, tears, saliva, and, in the case of grazing animals, faeces. They can transmit eye infections to humans and livestock and may also transmit other enteric diseases.
Blowflies, which include the golden bluebottle (Chrysomya incisuralis), are often seen hovering around dustbins. They are metallic green or blue in colour and are about 1/4" - 1/2" in length. Their larvae can be an important source of protein for livestock and even humans.
Mosquitoes are vectors for diseases that have helped topple empires and remain a significant health burden worldwide, especially in the Global South. Malaria, Ross River Virus, chikungunya, zika, and dengue are among the diseases transmitted by mosquitoes.
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The impact of flies on tourism
Australia is home to about 30,000 species of flies, but only four of these are commonly encountered: the bush fly, house fly, blowfly, and mosquito. The bush fly, in particular, is a native Australian fly with a lifespan of about three to four weeks. They are born from eggs laid in animal dung, which hatches into larvae and then pupate in a cocoon. The adult flies then seek protein and moisture from humans to produce eggs.
In regions such as Gascoyne Junction in Western Australia, locals have reported "absolutely shocking" swarms of flies, forcing both residents and tourists to take measures such as wearing fly nets or training horses at night to avoid the insects. The constant buzz of flies has also sparked changes in social perceptions, with some associating the wearing of fly nets with weakness.
However, it is important to note that flies play an essential ecological role in Australia. They are excellent pollinators and recyclers, helping to break down waste and return it to the ecosystem. While they can be a nuisance to humans, their presence also indicates healthy ecological processes.
To mitigate the impact of flies on tourism, some regions in Australia have introduced foreign dung beetles to bury cow and sheep dung, which has helped reduce fly populations. Additionally, the use of fly screens and nets can provide some relief, although these may not be practical for all outdoor activities. Ultimately, flies are a persistent part of the Australian environment, and both locals and tourists must find ways to adapt and cope with their presence.
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Methods to deter flies
Australia is home to about 30,000 species of flies, with some sources placing this number at about 10,000. While most of these species are harmless, a few are considered pests. The most common "nuisance flies" include the house fly, bush fly, blow fly, fruit fly, and fungus gnat. Flies are attracted to decomposing waste, such as rotting food and animal faeces, as well as food odours and liquids. They can quickly reproduce and infest your home, so it is important to take preventive measures. Here are some methods to deter flies:
Deep Cleaning and Food Hygiene
Keep your surroundings clean by regularly disposing of garbage, cleaning garbage containers, sinks, and drains, and removing clutter. Cover food and leftovers, and clean up any spills and food preparation areas.
Natural Repellents
Grow plants that naturally repel flies, such as lavender, tansy, bay leaf, nasturtiums, basil, and mint. You can also add eucalyptus oil to cloth strips and hang them around windows, or place lemon halves with cloves on window sills.
Screen Doors and Windows
Keep windows closed and covered with screens, and hang a bag of water over exterior doors. This will not only keep flies out but also confuse them visually.
Professional Pest Control
If the problem persists, consider contacting a professional pest control service to help manage and prevent fly infestations. They can provide solutions such as fly killer units and long-term protection.
Other Tips
- Keep bird feeders clean and remove bird food before dusk.
- Use low-cost DIY fly products or electric fly killers to trap and eliminate flies.
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Frequently asked questions
There are around 30,000 species of flies in Australia, and they rely on excrement to reproduce. Dung beetles, which keep the fly population under control, hibernate during the summer.
The most common types of flies in Australia are the bush fly, house fly, blowfly, and mosquito.
Flies are excellent pollinators and are also nature's recyclers, helping to break down organic matter.
Flies are attracted to the moisture around our eyes, mouths, and noses as they need protein to produce eggs.
Insect repellent, citronella candles, and avoiding cologne or perfume can help keep flies away.
