“Flies: Biology and Management" is a one-hour CEU (selected states for True Champion members) presentation that will provide an overview of the Diptera insect order, and focus on filth flies and other fly species that are problematic in community environments. Their biology and management will also be discussed. 

Flies belong to the insect order Diptera, the name of which refers to their two visible wings. Diptera is one of the most diverse insect orders and is considered to be of utmost importance to humans in economic and ecological terms. This is mainly because of the role of many of its members as annoying, biting pests that vector infectious diseases of humans and animals. Of particular significance among these are mosquitoes. However, adults of many other Dipterans are passive vectors of disease causing microorganisms. Many Dipterans are pests of plants and can result in serious crop losses. Some Dipterans however, are beneficial and serve as pollinators of crops, predators and parasitoids of other pest organisms. They are also efficient decomposers of organic matter, and important components of the food chain, serving as food for many groups of vertebrate predators.

FMC True Champions have an opportunity to earn CEUs in selected states. Approved CEU states at this time are Arizona, California (Dept. of Public Health), Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington and West Virginia.