Subclass Pterygota:
Pterous (winged) insects, develop by metamorphosis
Division Endopterygota
(endo = inner; pteron = wing)
Mecopteroid orders
(mecos = length; pteron = wing)
Order Diptera
(di = two; pteron = wing)
COMMON NAME: True flies
QUICK DESCRIPTION: Flies differ from other insects because they have only one set of wings -- the front pair. The hind pair of wings have evolved into small knobby balance organs, called halteres -- consequently the true flies are excellent fliers. Most flies have large eyes and mouthparts that can pierce, lap or suck. Antennae length varies depending on species. The young develop from eggs into maggots before becoming pupae and then adults.
MINUTE DETAILS: Generally minute to small soft-bodies insects; head highly mobile with large compound eyes, antennae of variable size and structure, and suctorial mouthparts; prothorax and metathorax small and fused with large mesothorax, wings present only on mesothorax, halteres present on metathorax; legs with five-segmented tarsi; abdomen with variable number of visible segments, female genitalia simple in most species, male genitalia complex, cerci present.
Larvae maggot-like; head in many species reduced and retracted. Some pupae enclosed in a puparium.
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