Natural History research
Find out about our natural history research and its wider impact in New Zealand.
Taxonomy, distribution and threat classification of New Zealand’s flies
Te Papa researchers: Julia Kasper and Shaun Thompson
Of all major insect groups of insects, flies (Diptera) are the least understood and most detested, despite their important roles in the pollination network and health of our ecosystem. There are 3,000 known native Diptera species in Aotearoa, and there are more to discover.
This research examines three Diptera families – fungus gnats (Mycetophilidae), small-headed flies (Acroceridae) and wood gnats (Anisopodidae) – undertaking genetic analyses, revising their descriptions and documenting their distribution. The information will also be used to provide threat classifications for the New Zealand Threat Classification System.
Helle longirostris visiting a mountain foxglove flower Photo by Shaun Thompson
You might also like
Meet the Natural History team
Find out about the people that make up our Natural History team and their roles at Te Papa.
Small heads and strange lives: studying the Acroceridae of New Zealand
Collections technician and PhD student Shaun Thompson has spent several years working with curators Julia Kasper and Phil Sirvid to study one of the most unusual and elusive groups of flies in Aotearoa New Zealand.