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Stock photography by Ray+Wilson at Alamy
Image contributor for:
Ray Wilson
Bird & Wildlife Photography

Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
True Flies

mating Tsetse Flies

The Diptera are characterised by having only one pair of wings, with the hind pair modified into a pair of halteres that act as gyroscopic stabilisers when the insect is in flight. There are currently over 158000 scientifically described species in over 150 families, with conservative estimates suggesting there is still at least double that number waiting to be discovered. Many Diptera are of great importance to humans, both as agricultural pests and as the transmitters of some of the world's deadliest diseases.

Nematocera

Nematocera contains the most primitive Diptera families and are distinguished from other flies by their relatively long, many-segmented antennae with all the segments being relatively similar to each other.

Nematocera families include: Mosquitos, Crane-flies, Sand Flies, Midges, etc

 

Brachycera

The Brachycera contains flies that have shortened antennae with a reduced number of segments. They can be split into two groups on the basis of the way in which the adults emerge from the pupa.

Orthorrhapha

Contains all the Brachycera flies that do not exit their pupal case via a circular apperture. The majority of this group are predatory.

Includes: Soldierflies, Snipe Flies, Tabanid Flies, Robberflies, Bee-flies, etc.
   

Muscomorpha (formerly Cyclorrhapha)

Muscomorpha contains all the flies that exit their puparium via a circular aperture.

Includes: Hoverflies, Picture-winged Flies, House Flies, Fruit Flies, Blowflies, Tsetse Flies, etc.
   

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Disclaimer: Although I always endevour to correctly identify the subjects displayed in the photos, I am not an expert in insect identification and cannot guarantee the names stated in this gallery are all 100% correct. Where possible I have used the relavent dichotomous keys to ensure correct identification, but errors may still have been made. If you think I have misidentified any of the specimens in the photos, or know the identites of any unidentified species, please e-mail me.