The Society for the study of flies (Diptera)

Thanks are due to Adrian Plant of Cardiff Museum for making this such an enjoyable and successful event in the venue of the beautiful museum building. The Entomology collections were available on both the Friday and Sunday for those who liked to examine them.  On the Saturday the programme of talks ranged from Adrian's discussion of Recent Developments in the Systematics of the Empidoidea and an update on the Empid Recording Scheme to Forensic Entomology with John Manlove and a Review of the Conopidae and their Recording Scheme with Dave Clements.  Unfortunately Graham Rotheray could not attend, but Stuart Ball stepped into the gap with a presentation on an analysis of a long series of Hoverfly Records from two gardens.  An account of some of the interesting points in these talks will be in the Winter edition of the Bulletin.  Members brought a good range of exhibits showing interesting flies caught or reared in the last year.  Much socialising occurred between the talks and in the Italian restaurant where the Dipterists Supper was held on the Saturday evening.  Following the AGM with its reports and election of officers, there were congratulations due to the retiring Treasurer, Jon Cole, for his many years of service and to Peter Chandler for his work on the Diptera Checklist, now that the species total has topped the 7000 mark.  Both were awarded Life Membership of the Forum and photographs of them receiving these awards are to be seen now in the Gallery on this website.  Personally it was a great time to see so many friends and catch up on news!
Judy