← Gallery II · The Orders
No. 03 · Holometabolous
True Flies & Mosquitoes
Diptera
~160,000
Described species
~160
Families
Introduction
Diptera — the true flies — are defined by their single pair of wings. The hindwings have evolved into tiny club-shaped halteres that act as gyroscopes for flight stability.
Field marks
Key ID traits.
Only one pair of functional wings — hindwings reduced to drumstick-shaped balancing organs called halteres. Larvae often legless maggots.
Etymology
Greek di 'two' + pteron 'wing'
Wings
Winged
Diet
Nectar/Pollen · Blood · Predator · Detritivore
Habitat
Terrestrial · Aquatic · Semi-aquatic · Parasitic
Notable examples
House fly, mosquitoes, fruit flies (Drosophila), crane flies, horse flies, hover flies, blow flies, midges, gnats.