Fly by RMZuha
of all the small things, I choose scuttle flies
What is a scuttle fly?
Scuttle fly (Diptera: Phoridae) is the most challenging group of insects to study due to its extremely diverse larval habits and adult morphology. In their natural habitats, scuttle flies are specialized scavengers, herbivores, fungivores, predators, kleptoparasites and parasites to other organisms. Several scuttle fly species are also decomposers and useful as forensic indicators in death investigations.
Malaysian species
Current records of scuttle flies from Malaysia hold more than 140 species belonged to over 30 genera, and this is only the tip of an iceberg. It is very likely that more species will be discovered in the future.
The challenges
Identification of scuttle fly is hindered by taxonomic impediment mainly because of missing reference materials and lack of identification guides to Malaysian species. The diagnosis of scuttle fly is also a very intricate process because of its small size (0.4 mm – 6.0 mm) and sexual dimorphisms in many species. It is conceivable that in the past, many male and female scuttle flies from the same species might have been named differently.
My responsibility
As part of ongoing initiatives to establish the inventory of Malaysian scuttle flies, our aim is to review the members of this group and to elucidate the taxonomic framework of scuttle fly based on art and science. We welcome anyone to join our journey and collaborate.
