ABSTRACT
The flies constitute one of the largest orders of insects in terms of numbers of species and families. Among this diversity, there is a discrete group of families, some of whose members have adapted to flourish in association with humans and their civilizations. The association of synanthropic flies with the transmission of disease is well established. In relation to food-borne pathogens, their chief role is that of a passive vector, physically transporting pathogens from filthy reservoirs to foods where the pathogens’ potential for causing illness is greatly amplified. The fly taxa encountered by the Food and Drug Administration in food products include more than 70 species from 42 families. About half of these are filth flies. The remainder are stored-product pests and incidental flies, mostly the latter. In the calyptrate flies, the notum is further divided by a transverse suture midway from the anterior margin.
