With their big, bulging eyes, buzzing wings and extreme capacity for causing annoyance, house flies are, for better or worse, familiar to us all.
In fact, it is said that more than nine out of 10 flies found around people belong to the house fly species, which has the Latin name Musca domestica.
Although it can be irritating to have them whizzing around us, house flies can cause far greater problems than a few frayed tempers, because they also spread diseases that affect both people and farm animals.
As many as 65 pathogens have been found to be transmitted by house flies, including a number that cause intestinal diseases.
It is no wonder then that farmers commonly turn to insecticides to eliminate these tiny but often harmful creatures.
A new study by Dr Mohammad Al Deeb, a UAE University associate professor of entomology, has indicated, however, that many of the house flies here carry forms of genes that make them resistant to a commonly used group of insecticides, the pyrethroids. In one part of the country, 70 per cent of flies tested carried two copies of an allele, or form of a gene, that conferred resistance.
Published recently in the journal Agricultural Sciences, the paper is believed to be the first to look at the presence of insecticide-resistance genes in UAE insect populations. It could, hopes Dr Al Deeb, lead to more attention being given to ways to prevent resistance developing in pest populations in the Emirates.
“Here, we know how to control the insects by buying traps and using chemicals but no one is keeping an eye on what’s happening at the genetic level,” he said.
“I hope this paper will be the starting point for ... an insect resistance-management programme in the UAE.”
Resistance among house flies to pyrethroids and other insecticides has been well documented in other parts of the world, with a 2011 paper in the International Journal of Biological Sciences saying the creatures “have shown remarkable abilities to develop resistance to the insecticides used against them”.
An additional problem with insecticides is that they typically kill off susceptible insects but allow those with resistance alleles to live on and breed, so these alleles become more prevalent in the population in later generations.
In a similar way, concerns are often expressed about the way that antibiotics favour resistant types of bacteria, and for this reason doctors are counselled against using them excessively.
Dr Al Deeb caught house flies in five emirates — Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah — and carried out genetic tests to find out whether or not the insects had the resistance alleles for the gene in question.
Catching the flies was, said Dr Al Deeb, relatively easy. One method involved putting out fruit such as pineapple and mango to attract the creatures. They were then captured in a plastic zip-lock bag and placed in a refrigerator. Once the flies were made drowsy by the cold, they could easily be picked up and their DNA extracted for testing. Sweep nets and sticky traps are also commonly employed by researchers to capture flies.
In Ajman, in 70 per cent of flies, both alleles of the gene — one from each parent — were of the type that conferred resistance to pyrethroids, although the sample size was small.
In Dubai, the figure was 59.5 per cent; in Fujairah 44.4 per cent; in Abu Dhabi 41.9 per cent; and in Ras Al Khaimah 20 per cent. This means that the resistance alleles were found in all five of the emirates surveyed.
The resistance alleles cause the fly to produce a different form of a protein in the “voltage-gated” sodium channel across nerve cell membranes. Pyrethroids are neuropoisons because they induce changes in nerve membrane permeabilities to sodium and potassium ions in normal types of house fly. Thanks to their altered protein, flies with the resistance alleles are not affected in the same way by the pyrethroids.
If the resistance alleles become more common, the consequences could be severe.
Although some farmers have been using chemicals to control fly numbers for many years, and might believe there is nothing to worry about, Dr Al Deeb said his study indicated that the number of resistant flies could have the potential to grow.
“One day, the whole population, or most, will be resistant. It’s called insecticide failure. You lose one tool from your arsenal of tools,” said Syrian Dr Al Deeb, who has worked in the UAE for the past eight years after completing master’s and PhD degrees in entomology at Kansas State University, in the United States.
The numbers of flies tested in this study was relatively modest, at 122 in total, so Dr Al Deeb said municipalities around the country might want to consider carrying out their own study, with larger numbers. This could determine more accurately how widespread resistance alleles are.
Ultimately, results such as those in this study could prompt the authorities to promote different ways to control flies, instead of using pyrethroids.
Such alternative methods to control insects have, said Dr Al Deeb, become popular in other countries. These techniques are said to have multiple benefits: as well as preventing insecticide resistance from developing, they can reduce harmful effects on the environment and people from the chemicals.
“In the US ... they have resistance management programmes that go hand-in-hand with insect chemical control,” he said.
“Now we can start ... creating awareness among those that practice pest control, and hopefully more people will be interested in the topic.”
Alternative methods can include using types of bacteria and fungi that are parasites of insects to keep fly numbers down, or capturing the flies with traps, although the consistently high temperatures in the UAE means that certain methods used to control fly numbers in other parts of the world may not be effective here.
“We don’t have a silver bullet. We know the direction is non-chemical [methods of control], but this should be done by going through the literature and doing experiments. We can [find] answers by doing research,” said Dr Al Deeb.
Methods to control other pest insects could also come under the spotlight in future, as Dr Al Deeb is now turning his attention to the red palm weevil and the date palm fruit stalk borer to see how widespread pyrethroid insecticide resistance is among them.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
Three tips from La Perle's performers
1 The kind of water athletes drink is important. Gwilym Hooson, a 28-year-old British performer who is currently recovering from knee surgery, found that out when the company was still in Studio City, training for 12 hours a day. “The physio team was like: ‘Why is everyone getting cramps?’ And then they realised we had to add salt and sugar to the water,” he says.
2 A little chocolate is a good thing. “It’s emergency energy,” says Craig Paul Smith, La Perle’s head coach and former Cirque du Soleil performer, gesturing to an almost-empty open box of mini chocolate bars on his desk backstage.
3 Take chances, says Young, who has worked all over the world, including most recently at Dragone’s show in China. “Every time we go out of our comfort zone, we learn a lot about ourselves,” she says.
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
How has net migration to UK changed?
The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.
It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.
The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.
The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.
About RuPay
A homegrown card payment scheme launched by the National Payments Corporation of India and backed by the Reserve Bank of India, the country’s central bank
RuPay process payments between banks and merchants for purchases made with credit or debit cards
It has grown rapidly in India and competes with global payment network firms like MasterCard and Visa.
In India, it can be used at ATMs, for online payments and variations of the card can be used to pay for bus, metro charges, road toll payments
The name blends two words rupee and payment
Some advantages of the network include lower processing fees and transaction costs
UAE v United States, T20 International Series
Both matches at ICC Academy, Dubai. Admission is free.
1st match: Friday, 2pm
2nd match: Saturday, 2pm
UAE squad: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Rameez Shahzad, Amjad Gul, CP Rizwan, Mohammed Boota, Abdul Shakoor, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Sultan Ahmed, Zahoor Khan, Amir Hayat
USA squad: Saurabh Netravalkar (captain), Jaskaran Malhotra, Elmore Hutchinson, Aaron Jones, Nosthush Kenjige, Ali Khan, Jannisar Khan, Xavier Marshall, Monank Patel, Timil Patel, Roy Silva, Jessy Singh, Steven Taylor, Hayden Walsh
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPHONE%2014%20PRO%20MAX
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
The specs
Price, base: Dh228,000 / Dh232,000 (est)
Engine: 5.7-litre Hemi V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 552Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.5L / 100km
Five healthy carbs and how to eat them
Brown rice: consume an amount that fits in the palm of your hand
Non-starchy vegetables, such as broccoli: consume raw or at low temperatures, and don’t reheat
Oatmeal: look out for pure whole oat grains or kernels, which are locally grown and packaged; avoid those that have travelled from afar
Fruit: a medium bowl a day and no more, and never fruit juices
Lentils and lentil pasta: soak these well and cook them at a low temperature; refrain from eating highly processed pasta variants
Courtesy Roma Megchiani, functional nutritionist at Dubai’s 77 Veggie Boutique
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
Section 375
Cast: Akshaye Khanna, Richa Chadha, Meera Chopra & Rahul Bhat
Director: Ajay Bahl
Producers: Kumar Mangat Pathak, Abhishek Pathak & SCIPL
Rating: 3.5/5
FIGHT CARD
Fights start from 6pm Friday, January 31
Catchweight 82kg
Piotr Kuberski (POL) v Ahmed Saeb (IRQ)
Women’s bantamweight
Cornelia Holm (SWE) v Corinne Laframboise (CAN)
Welterweight
Omar Hussein (JOR) v Vitalii Stoian (UKR)
Welterweight
Josh Togo (LEB) v Ali Dyusenov (UZB)
Flyweight
Isaac Pimentel (BRA) v Delfin Nawen (PHI)
Catchweight 80kg
Seb Eubank (GBR) v Mohamed El Mokadem (EGY)
Lightweight
Mohammad Yahya (UAE) v Ramadan Noaman (EGY)
Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) v Reydon Romero (PHI)
Welterweight
Ahmed Labban (LEB) v Juho Valamaa (FIN)
Featherweight
Elias Boudegzdame (ALG) v Austin Arnett (USA)
Super heavyweight
Roman Wehbe (LEB) v Maciej Sosnowski (POL)
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Results
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Bio
Favourite vegetable: “I really like the taste of the beetroot, the potatoes and the eggplant we are producing.”
Holiday destination: “I like Paris very much, it’s a city very close to my heart.”
Book: “Das Kapital, by Karl Marx. I am not a communist, but there are a lot of lessons for the capitalist system, if you let it get out of control, and humanity.”
Musician: “I like very much Fairuz, the Lebanese singer, and the other is Umm Kulthum. Fairuz is for listening to in the morning, Umm Kulthum for the night.”
If you go
The flights
There are various ways of getting to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania from the UAE. The exact route and airstrip depends on your overall trip itinerary and which camp you’re staying at.
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dh1,350 return, including taxes; this can be followed by a short flight from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti with Coastal Aviation from about US$700 (Dh2,500) return, including taxes. Kenya Airways, Emirates and Etihad offer flights via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Straightforward ways to reduce sugar in your family's diet
- Ban fruit juice and sodas
- Eat a hearty breakfast that contains fats and wholegrains, such as peanut butter on multigrain toast or full-fat plain yoghurt with whole fruit and nuts, to avoid the need for a 10am snack
- Give young children plain yoghurt with whole fruits mashed into it
- Reduce the number of cakes, biscuits and sweets. Reserve them for a treat
- Don’t eat dessert every day
- Make your own smoothies. Always use the whole fruit to maintain the benefit of its fibre content and don’t add any sweeteners
- Always go for natural whole foods over processed, packaged foods. Ask yourself would your grandmother have eaten it?
- Read food labels if you really do feel the need to buy processed food
- Eat everything in moderation
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
