The Secret Life of Flies

`A short, rich book by turns informative and humorous... a hymn of praise to her favorite creatures and a gleeful attempt to give readers the willies.' New York Times `What really makes the book so engrossing is the weird and let's be frank occasionally horrifying behaviours that flies exhibit. The most compelling parts of McAlister's book are gruesome tales...after reading her book it is obvious: flies rock.' The Spectator `I would love to find antler flies sparring; or a bat fly `swimming' through the fur of its host; or a giant Texan robberfly feeding on a hummingbird. Instead, if I can keep up with Erica's infectious verve, I will vicariously drink down her rich enthusiasm.' Book of the Month - BBC Wildlife `Pure delight. McAlister tells fly stories with such affection and familiarity that it seems as if she is sharing secrets about her own raucous extended family full of bizarre, outrageous, and sometimes slightly evil characters.The Secret Life of Flies humorously and poetically illustrates that flies are far more than the pesky creatures we swat as they hover over our fruit bowls or bite our ankles.’ American Entomologist