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PhD Student Researches Nose Flies at the Natural History Museum

KwaZulu-Natal Museum

Official source

Source domain: nmsa.org.za

Collected on 2 October 2026

Always confirm details on the official source before acting.

What this means

This is a KwaZulu-Natal Museum news article about PhD student Benjamin de la Fontaine’s research visit to the Natural History Museum in London from 14 to 25 September 2026. The visit supported his taxonomic research on nose flies through access to museum specimens and digitisation equipment, and included a possible new species discovery. The article also describes the transfer of Diptera specimens between South African and UK institutions.

Facts

Places

KwaZulu-Natal, City of Tshwane, Gauteng, Free State, Mangaung

Key Takeaways

  • Benjamin de la Fontaine visited the Natural History Museum, United Kingdom (NHMUK) from 14 to 25 September 2026
  • PhD research on the taxonomy of Rhiniinae, commonly known as nose flies
  • Research undertaken through the KwaZulu-Natal Museum and University of Pretoria
  • Funding from the Diversity of Pollinating Diptera Project (DIPODIP)
  • Possible new nose-fly species found from Angola and Botswana
  • Diptera specimens transferred from the National Museum, Bloemfontein to the National Museum of Wales
  • KwaZulu-Natal Museum
  • Benjamin de la Fontaine
  • Natural History Museum, United Kingdom (NHMUK)
  • University of Pretoria
  • Diversity of Pollinating Diptera Project (DIPODIP)
  • Dr Olga Sivell
  • Dr Duncan Sivell
  • National Museum, Bloemfontein
  • National Museum of Wales
  • Science Museum

Dates

Closing Date

25 September 2026