Fly

Article about flies

Flies are insects of the order Diptera, the name being derived from the Greek δι- di- "two", and πτερόν pteron "wing". Insects of this order use only a single pair of wings to fly, the hindwings having evolved into advanced mechanosensory organs known as halteres, which act as high-speed sensors of rotational movement and allow them to perform advanced aerobatics.

Characteristics

Flies are adapted for aerial movement and typically have a pair of functional wings on the mesothorax and a pair of halteres on the metathorax. The halteres are small, knobbed structures that act as gyroscopic stabilizers, providing feedback to the fly about its position in space. This adaptation allows flies to perform complex aerial maneuvers.

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A female fly from the family Anthomyiidae

Flies have a mobile head, with a pair of large compound eyes, and mouthparts designed for piercing and sucking, or for lapping and sucking in the more primitive groups. Their life cycle consists of an egg, larval, pupal, and adult stage, with the larval stage being a maggot in many species.

Ecology

Flies are found in almost all terrestrial habitats in the world, including deserts, forests, and urban areas. They play a crucial role in the ecosystem as pollinators, decomposers, and as a food source for other animals. Some species are important pollinators, while others are vectors of diseases.

A fly resembling a wasp

Flies are also known for their rapid reproduction and short life cycles, which allow them to quickly exploit new environments. This adaptability makes them one of the most widespread and diverse groups of insects.

Classification

The order Diptera is divided into two suborders: Nematocera and Brachycera. Nematocera includes the more primitive flies such as mosquitoes and crane flies, while Brachycera includes the more advanced flies such as houseflies and blowflies.

Nematocera

Nematocera are characterized by their elongated bodies and long, filamentous antennae. They include families such as Culicidae (mosquitoes) and Tipulidae (crane flies).

Brachycera

Brachycera have shorter, more robust bodies and shorter antennae. This suborder includes the Tabanidae (horse flies), Syrphidae (hoverflies), and Muscidae (houseflies).

Evolution

Flies are believed to have evolved during the Triassic period, over 240 million years ago. They have since diversified into a wide range of forms and occupy a variety of ecological niches.

Illustration of a fly species

Human Interaction

Flies have a significant impact on human activities. Some species are beneficial as pollinators or as biological control agents, while others are pests that can spread diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, and sleeping sickness.

Related pages

• Insect
• Pollination
• Vector (epidemiology)
• Maggot