Department of Entomology
Diptera (Flies)
Photo by: F. W. Ravlin: Diptera:Tachinidae - Adejeania vexatrix (Osten Sacken)
A. Origin of name
- Latin - di, two; ptera, wings
- Relates to two versus four winged adults. The hind wings have been reduced to small balancing organs called halteres.
B. Classification
- Suborders - 2 with 10 infraorders and many superfamilies
a. Nematocera
b. Brachycera (including Cyclorrhapha)- America north of Mexico - 121 families, 2,356 genera, 19,562 species
- World - ? families, ? genera, 100,000+ species
- Estimate of undescribed species - 43% in N. America.
C. Common names - Flies
D. Type of metamorphosis - Holometabolous
E. Phylogenetic relationships
- Considered decencded from a winged mecopteran-like ancestor.
- Also related to Siphonaptera.
A. One pair of membranous wings on the mesothorax.B. Hind wings reduced to small knoblike structures called halteres.
C. Antennae variable, often short and inconspicuous.
D. Mouthparts sucking.
A. Life history (Because of the tremendous number of species it is virtually impossible to make generalized comments about the Dipteran life history)
- Eggs
- Larvae - three instars with the last .instar forming a pupariumin in the Brachycera
- Pupae - obtect in the Nematocera and coarctate in the Brachycera
- Adults
B. Habitat
- Many different habitats but many live in aquatic or semiaquatic situations.
- Plant feeders generally live within tissues.
- One species lives in pools of crude oil and another in salt water.
C. Habits (mode of existence)
- Predators, parasites, and parasitoids, scavengers, omivores
D. Collecting and preserving
- Sweeping
- Netting on flowers
- Baits
- Malaise trap
- Pin or point
- Not normally advisable to put into alcohol, However, some of the smaller Nematocera should be handled this way.
E. Significance
Very important group from the standpoint of crop loss, disease vectors, nuisance, pollination, and breakdown of decaying matter.