Diptera Collection (page 9)

European hoverfly on Aster sp. flower
European hoverfly (Helophilus pendulus) on Aster sp. flower. This is the most common hoverfly found in Britain. Photographed in Dorset, UK, in September

Gall midge eye, SEM C016 / 9394
Gall midge eye. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the compound eye of a gall midge (family Cecidomyiidae), showing the individual lenses (ommatidia)

Fly larva, SEM C016 / 9032
Fly larva. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) showing the head of the aquatic larva of a fly (order Diptera). Magnification: x140 when printed at 10 centimetres wide

Fly eye, SEM C016 / 9392
Fly eye. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the compound eye (red) of a fly (order Diptera), showing the individual lenses (ommatidia, right) and hairs (blue)

Fly larva, SEM C016 / 9033
Fly larva. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) showing the head of the aquatic larva of a fly (order Diptera). Magnification: x140 when printed at 10 centimetres wide

Midge larva, light micrograph
Midge larva. Differential interference contrast (DIC) micrograph of the larva of a non-biting midge (family Chironomidae). Midge refers to many kinds of very small two-winged flies found world-wide

Midge mouthparts, SEM
Midge mouthparts. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of part of the head of a biting midge (family Ceratopogonidae), showing its mouthparts

Midge eggs, light micrograph
Midge eggs. Differential interference contrast (DIC) micrograph of the eggs of a non-biting midge (family Chironomidae). Midge refers to many kinds of very small two-winged flies found world-wide

Hoverfly C016 / 6099
Hoverfly (family Syrphida)

Robber fly on a leaf C016 / 6250
Robber fly on a leaf. Robber flies (family Asilidae) are predators of other flying insects that they ambush in flight. Photographed in Yasuni National Park, Amazon rainforest, Ecuador

Titan beetle C016 / 5944
Titan beetle (Titanus giganteus). The titan is the largest beetle in the world, measuring between 12 and 20 centimetres in length. This specimen measures 15 centimetres

Hoverfly C016 / 6098
Hoverfly (family Syrphida)

Fly, SEM C015 / 8077
Fly. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a fly (order Diptera). The head is dominated by two large compound eyes (red)

Fly, SEM C015 / 9945
Fly. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a fly (order Diptera). The head is dominated by two large compound eyes (red)

Fly, SEM C015 / 8080
Fly. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a fly (order Diptera). The head is dominated by two large compound eyes (red)

Fly, SEM C015 / 8082
Fly. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a fly (order Diptera). The head is dominated by two large compound eyes (red)

Housefly C015 / 9927
Housefly (Musca domestica). This fly feeds on organic material, including decomposing matter, and carries numerous diseases which it can spread to human food

Fly, SEM C015 / 8081
Fly. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a fly (order Diptera). The head is dominated by two large compound eyes (one seen, red)

Fly, SEM C015 / 8078
Fly. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a fly (order Diptera). The head is dominated by two large compound eyes (red)

Maggot waste digestion food production C015 / 9937
Maggot waste digestion food production. Close-up of numerous maggots of the housefly (Musca domestica) being used in waste digestion and food production research

Fly, SEM C015 / 8079
Fly. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a fly (order Diptera). The head is dominated by two large compound eyes (red)

Fly, SEM C015 / 9944
Fly. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a fly (order Diptera). The head is dominated by two large compound eyes (red)

Fly, SEM C015 / 8083
Fly. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a fly (order Diptera). The head is dominated by two large compound eyes (red)

Fruit fly wings, illustration C018 / 0792
Fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) wings, illustration

Fly compound eye lenses, SEM C018 / 0556
Fly compound eye lenses, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). A compound eye consists of many rounded lenses known as ommatidia

Fruit fly head C018 / 5815
Fruit fly (Tephritis postica) head. Each compound eye (green) is made up of numerous simple eyes called ommatidia. Each ommatidium sends a signal to the flys brain

Maggot head, SEM C014 / 1450
Maggot head. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head of a fly (order Diptera) larva, showing its mouthparts (centre). Magnification: x40 when printed at 10 centimetres wide

Bluebottle. Close-up of the head of a bluebottle (family Calliphoridae) fly, showing its large compound eyes (centre left and right). Magnification: x34 when printed 10 centimetres wide

Horse-flies mating C014 / 4607
Horse-flies (family Tabanidae) mating

Horse-flies mating C014 / 4605
Horse-flies (family Tabanidae) mating

Horse-flies mating C014 / 4606
Horse-flies (family Tabanidae) mating

Crane fly, artwork
Crane fly. Computer artwork showing the upperside of a crane fly (family Tipulidae)

Deer fly C014 / 9955
Deer fly. Close-up of a deer fly (Lipoptena cervi), or deer ked, on human skin. Deer flies (family Hippoboscidae) are biting flies that are parasites of elk, deer and other bovine animals

Common greenbottle (Lucilia caesar) feeding on a flower. The common greenbottle is a species of blowfly (family Calliphoridae). Photographed in Poland

Mosquito biting a human C014 / 9801
Mosquito biting a human. Close-up of an Aedes sp. mosquito feeding on a human

Common horse fly C014 / 9771
Common horse fly. Close-up of a common horse fly (Haematopota pluvialis), or cleg, on human skin. Male horse flies (family Tabanidae) feed on nectar, but females feed on blood

House fly. The house fly (Musca domestica) is the most common of all domestic flies and is considered a pest that can carry serious diseases. Photographed in Poland

Hoverfly larva. Close-up of a larva of a hoverfly (Platycheirus sp.) on the underside of a leaf. Photographed in Poland

Deer fly C014 / 9763
Deer fly. Close-up of a deer fly (Lipoptena cervi), or deer ked, on human skin. Deer flies (family Hippoboscidae) are biting flies that are commonly found in temperate regions of Europe

Robber fly (Leptogaster cylindrica) on a plant stalk. Robber flies (family Asilidae) are predators of other flying insects that they ambush in flight. Photographed in Poland

Tachinid fly (Tachina fera) on a flower head. This species of tachinid fly (family Tachinidae) is found across Europe as far north as Scandinavia. Photographed in Poland

Snipe fly (Rhagio notatus) on a leaf. Snipe flies are medium or large flies that prey on other insects with their piercing mouthparts. Photographed in Poland

Hoverfly on a leaf
Hoverfly (Helophilus pendulus) on a leaf. This is the most common hoverfly found in Britain. Photographed in Dorset, UK, in June

Robber fly on a flower
Robber fly (Machimus sp.) on a flower. Robber flies (family Asilidae) are predators of other flying insects that they ambush in flight. Photographed in Poland

Common horse fly C014 / 9664
Common horse fly. Close-up of a common horse fly (Haematopota pluvialis), or cleg, on human skin. Male horse flies (family Tabanidae) feed on nectar, but females feed on blood

Fruit flies mating. Pair of Dioxyna bidentis fruit flies mating on a flower. Photographed in Wroclaw, Poland

Hoverfly feeding on flowers
Hoverfly (Helophilus trivittatus) feeding on flowers. Photographed in Wroclaw, Poland

Bluebottle on a leaf
Bluebottle (Calliphora vicina) on a leaf. This common blowfly feeds on rotting animal and vegetable matter. It is considered a domestic pest as it often spreads bacteria onto food

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Diptera, the order of insects commonly known as flies and mosquitoes, encompasses a vast array of species with fascinating characteristics. From ancient times to modern scientific discoveries, it has captured the attention of researchers and nature enthusiasts alike. One remarkable find is the mosquito trapped in Dominican amber, preserved for millions of years. This tiny creature offers a glimpse into prehistoric ecosystems and evolutionary history. Similarly, H. W. Bates' illustrated notebooks provide valuable insights into the world through his meticulous observations. Within this diverse order, we encounter various species such as Simulium damnosum, also known as the Simulian blackfly notorious for transmitting diseases to humans and animals. On the other hand, there are harmless yet intriguing creatures like the hornet mimic hoverfly that imitates its dangerous counterpart for protection. The female Aedes punctor mosquito takes center stage in Sequence 4/4 by resting after feeding on human blood—a behavior both captivating and unsettling. Meanwhile, examining a blackfly antenna reveals intricate structures adapted for survival. Anopheles gambiae stands out among mosquitoes due to its role as a carrier of malaria—a disease that continues to affect millions worldwide. In contrast, spotting a fly on a cactus at Valencia's botanical garden reminds us that they are be found even in urban environments across Europe. Delving deeper into their anatomy using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), we discover astonishing details about stalk-eyed flies—creatures with elongated eye stalks that serve various purposes within their complex biology. Not all Diptera pose threats or hold significant medical importance; some simply lead quiet lives like sandflies or enjoy indulging in sugar feasts under SEM observation—an unexpected sight indeed. Lastly, gall midges encased in Baltic amber offer glimpses into ancient plant-insect interactions—an invaluable resource for understanding ecological relationships throughout time. Exploring Diptera opens up an enthralling world of insects that range from disease vectors to harmless pollinators.