The scientist that conducted these studies were able to use the information to save livestock and ultimately the livestock industry. Their research has also become instrumental in coming up with a way to fight the Zika virus. Any studies that inevitably leads to a solution for disease or what might otherwise become a pandemic, certainly deserve to be recognized.
Sex is an important part of every day life and we need to understand it in other organisms so we can better understand it for ourselves. Now with that being said I do think there are other things in the scientific field that are more important than the sex life of a screw fly.
People give out awards for all sorts of interesting discoveries. Some seem sillier than others: for example, the "Golden Goose" which awards scientific study. Recently, the "Golden Goose" recognized a group of scientists who had studied the sex life of the golden screwfly. This is not a recognition to be dismissed: we are all interconnected in some way, so when scientists learn more about one species, it can lead to discoveries about another.
A blaming increase in fraud and unethical behaviour observed in science on a lack of rigour among the emerging ranks of PhDs may appear blatantly reductionist and reactionary. Indeed, the most publicised and serious cases do come from much more senior scientists. In fact, some might argue that we have been looking and detecting misconduct more systematically than ever before. At the same time, there is a growing movement to raise awareness of scientists’ responsibilities and better equip them to face the pressures to publish more and seek extra funding.