Why just fly?

Abstract

Drosophila melanogaster is an incredible model system, providing tools and technologies that allow careful, effective, and reproducible research. This experimental approach, and the genetic tools and techniques available in Drosophila are desperately needed for the study of other insects, a hugely diverse group of huge importance to natural and productive ecosystems. For those of you with the skills and ‘Drosophila mindset’, studying other insects may help us understand diversity, improve the security of food production, and help avoid the current, worrying, insect apocalypse.