Flies in Science and Forensics

Several flies, like Drosophila, are quite useful as model organisms and have been used in research for centuries. They have unraveled several mysteries in the areas of genetics, developmental and evolutionary biology, cancer biology, and more. Similarly, chironomid midge larvae have also been extensively used in cytogenetical studies. In addition, they are minor crop pests, are disease vectors and pathogen reservoirs, cause allergic reactions, possess stress tolerance, and are used for environmental monitoring. Sarcophagid flies not only are used in studies of polytene chromosomes but are also vectors of diseases. Besides these, several flies are helpful in solving death mysteries and are excellent tools for forensic investigations.

Existing books on flies emphasize either their taxonomy and distributional records or their role as vectors affecting humans and livestock. Therefore, it was decided to publish a book exclusively devoted to flies, especially focusing on their role in science and forensics.

FEATURES OF THIS BOOK

• Each chapter begins with point-wise learning objectives
• Contains conclusions at the end of each chapter
• Includes "Points to Remember" sections for easy review
• Student- and reader-friendly approach throughout

The present book starts with a chapter on the introduction of flies, followed by chapters on Drosophila as a model organism, its species and mutants, its role in biological science, as a tool to study human regenerative diseases, cytogenetic and evolutionary biology studies, and its inversion polymorphism. The book continues with chapters on chironomids midges, exploring their diversity and their role as pathogen reservoirs and for environment impact assessment and monitoring. A chapter on sarcophagids highlights studies on polytene chromosomes, followed by a chapter on the role of flies in crime investigations.

This book will be valuable to students of entomology, researchers, and professionals in applied life sciences, as well as those involved in policy planning. Additionally, students preparing for competitive examinations and the general public will also benefit from this comprehensive work.

Omkar, FNASc, associated with teaching for about 36 years and research for 45 years, is a former head, Department of Zoology, University of Lucknow, and former coordinator, UGC-SAP (DRS-II), DST-FIST, DST-PURSE, Centre of Excellence, Government of UP Programs. He has worked on ten more projects of state/central funding agencies. He specializes in environmental toxicology and entomology, with particular reference to insect pest management. He is the chief editor of the Journal of Applied Bioscience; associate editor, International Journal of Tropical Insect Science; and president of the International Society of Applied Biology.

He has contributed to the following books as author/editor (14 books by reputed international publishers): Concepts of Toxicology (2017), Pesticides, Man & Biosphere (1998), Prof. S. B. Singh Commemoration Volume (2002), Experimental Animal Physiology & Biochemistry (2003), Modern Approaches to Insect Pest Management (2010), Kin Recognition and Oviposition Strategies in Aphidophagous Ladybirds (2012), Monitoring and Management of Mango Fruitfly (2012), Predaceous Ladybirds of Uttar Pradesh (2013), Ecofriendly Pest Management for Food Security (2016), Industrial Entomology (2017), Pests and Their Management (2018), Sucking Pests of Crops (2020), Polyphagous Pests of Crops (2021), Molecular Approaches for Sustainable Insect Pest Management (2021), Microbial Approaches for Insect Pest Management (2021), Reproductive Strategies in Insects (2022), Insects As Service Providers (2023), Parasitoids in Pest Management (2023), Insect Predators in Pest Management (2023), Commercial Insects (2024), Mosquitoes (2024, p. 422), Comprehensive Environmental Biology (2023), Concepts of Environmental Biology (2023), Environmental Pollution (2023), Biodiversity Conservation (2023), Mosquitoes: Biology, Pathogenicity & Management (2024), Flies: Agricultural & Public Heath Perspectives (2025), and Vish Vigyan Ki Avadharnayein (2025).

He has received several awards, including the Saraswati Samman from the Department of Higher Education, Government of UP; the Prof. T. N. Ananthakrishanan Foundation Award; the Rescholar Award of Excellence in Agricultural Entomology from the Association of Entomologists; the Prof. G. S. Shukla Gold Medal from the Academy of Environmental Biology; and the Dr. S. Pradhan Memorial Lecture Award from the Division of Entomology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, and the Entomological Society of India, New Delhi. He has also received the ACCLAIM and Uddeepan awards from the University of Lucknow. He is a fellow of the Entomological Society of India, the Zoological Society of India, the Society for Biocontrol Advancement, and the National Academy of Sciences India (FNASc). He has authored 29 books and published 270 research papers, 16 reviews, 60 book chapters, and 20 popular science articles. He has guided 28 PhD students and visited the School of Biological Sciences at the University of East Anglia (2006) for three months and the Department of Zoology at the University of South Bohemia and the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic (May 2016) under INSA bilateral exchange programs.