Project:

Fly biodiversity in Farmingdale, NY

Students:

Khloe Ponce-Erickson, Brooke Szygiel, isabella durante

School:

The Ursuline School, Other

Mentors:

Oxana Litvine

Abstract:

This study will investigate the biodiversity of flies (Order Diptera) at Farmingdale State College, Farmingdale, NY, to evaluate their ecological roles in the local environment. Thirty-one specimens were collected using Malaise traps and preserved in 95% ethanol for both morphological and genetic analyses. Species were identified through microscopic examination and AI-assisted classification on iNaturalist, with identifications being reviewed and verified by expert entomologists. DNA barcoding of the COI gene region will be performed to confirm species identity, using Chelex extraction, PCR amplification, and gel electrophoresis visualization prior to sequencing. The resulting DNA sequences will be compared with reference databases such as DNA subway, BOLD and BLAST to determine taxonomic placement. This project will help establish which fly families and genera are present in the Farmingdale ecosystem and will highlight their future contributions to pollination, pest control, and organ

Poster: