Not every idea for scientific research comes from deep intellectual conversations. Sometimes, the most mundane situations can spark the interest of the scientist.
Man shows house flies in a lab. Alvaro Romero, NMSU professor of Urban Entomology, will start researching house flies in January 2015. His research aims to inform and educate people about the possible health dangers of large populations of flies.
Alvaro Romero, New Mexico State University professor of Urban Entomology, who is known for his bed bug program, is interested in researching urban pests that most affect people’s everyday lives including house flies.
“This summer I attended an outdoor wedding in Hatch,” he recounted. “I was surprised at how many flies there were. Usually, flies appear when there is food, animals, fecal matter or garbage in the area, but there were no such things in the proximity of that area. The number of flies around tables was very irritant.”
The focus of his research is primarily to shed light on the role of house flies in the transmission of human and animal pathogens. This research will provide the public useful information about health issues that can arise from fly infestation.
Romero plans to collaborate with other NMSU researchers as well as experts from other universities. “House flies are present all year round, especially during the summer and they are definitely a nuisance,” Romero said.
In 2013 heconducted a survey asking Las Cruces residents which insects they saw most frequently and about 50 percent reported house flies, followed by ants and cockroaches.
“This survey confirmed to us that flies are a big problem in this area,” Romero said. “We are in an area where temperature is high almost all year and that creates a great environment for the reproduction of flies, which can complete their life cycle very quickly – in 10 days or less.”
