"Be afraid. Be very afraid . . ." Went the famous tagline for the 1986 movie 'The Fly'. It tapped into the deep rooted notion that flies are one of the most hated groups on the planet. But what about the truth . . .
Diptera, or flies as they are more commonly known, are one of the most disliked group of animals on the planet. This morphologically diverse and ecological rich order of insects evolved over 200 million years ago. They have adapted to their environment and in doing so have helped shape and maintain this planet (and now beyond).
From farmers to forensic scientists, medics to mountaineers, and recyclers to rejuvenators, the roles that flies play in our ecology are some of the most important, but often the most ignored.
Join Erica McAlister, from the Natural History Museum, as she takes us on a journey to dispel the negative perception we have of these inspirational insects and highlights their amazing lives, and why we should be grateful that our planet is dominated by these wondrous creatures.
DR. ERICA McALISTER
Erica is the Principal Curator for Diptera and Siphonaptera in the Life Sciences Department at the Natural History Museum.
Her specific interests lie with Culicidae (mosquitos), Asilidae (Robber flies), and Mycetophilidae (small flies). Ercia has undertaken research projects on mosquito identification and malaria incrimination, an historic DNA recovery project with Dr Mara Lawniczak, from the Sanger Wellcome Institute, and population studies using historic museum specimens. She was also involved with the Knepp Wilding Project (Sussex), teaching entomology and studying the invertebrate, specifically the Dipteran fauna.
Erica has presented several BBC Radio 4 series on insects and appeared in many others, including The Life Scientific, Nature Table and The Infinite Monkey Cage.
She has also written several books including the award-winning ‘The Secret life of Flies’, it’s follow up 'The Inside Out of Flies' and, most recently, ‘Metamorphosis: How Insects Are Changing Our World’.
Erica will be signing copies of her books ‘The Secret Life of Flies’, ‘The Inside Out of Flies’ and her latest, ‘Metamorphosis: How Insects Are Changing Our World’ all of which will be available to purchase on the night.
BUG loving children are welcome to attend this event, but they must be accompanied by an adult and are not permitted in the main bar after 8pm.
Brighthink presentations take place in the Nightingale Room at the Grand Central Pub, opposite Brighton Station.
DOORS OPEN: 7:00pm (£5 on the door)
TALK STARTS: 7:30pm
AUDIENCE Q&A: 8:30pm
BOOK SIGNING: 9pm (Books available to purcjase on the night)
Brighthink is a non-profit organisation, none of our invited speakers charge for their time, and proceeds from ticket sales go towards the running costs that allow us to put on these events for the public.