Diptera
Glossina morsitans, Tsetse fly
What are Diptera?
Diptera are a large group of insects containing flies and mosquitos. Over 120,000 Diptera species have been described and probably as many are still undescribed.
Diptera have only a single pair of wings, distinguishing this group from most other insects. Although a few highly specialised, often parasitic, forms are wingless.
Diptera have:
- a single pair of wings
- a holometabolous life cycle
- legless larvae
- larval heads are absent or much reduced
Diptera are categorised into the following groups:
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Nematocera
Discover more about this group of Diptera that includes crane-flies, mosquitoes, sandflies and various midges.
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Brachycera (Orthorrhapha)
This group contains some of the largest flies in the world. Discover more about horse-flies, bee-flies and robber-flies.
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Brachycera (Cyclorrhapha – Calyptrata)
Learn more about some of the most well known flies eg house flies and blow-flies in the Calyptrata group of Brachycera (cyclorrhapha).
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Brachycera (Cyclorrhapha – Aschiza)
Discover more about the life cycle of hover-flies, which belong to the Brachycera (Aschiza) group.
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Brachycera (Cyclorrhapha – Acalyptrata)
Find out more about Brachycera (Cyclorrhapha ) Acalyptrata a large group of fly families including fruit flies and leaf mining flies.
Diptera research
Learn more about current research at the Museum on forensic entomology, mosquitoes and non-biting midges.
About the name
Diptera means 'two wings', the group are named after their distinguishing feature, a single pair of wings.
