Dipteran Collection

Stalk-eyed fly, SEM C014 / 4882
Stalk-eyed fly. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head of a stalk-eyed fly (family Diopsidae). Stalk-eyed flies are mostly tropical insects

Hornet mimic hoverfly. Close-up of a hornet mimic hoverfly (Volucella zonaria) feeding on flowers. This insect is a European species of hoverfly (family Syrphidae). Photographed in Poland

Fly on sugar, SEM
Fly on sugar, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Flies (order Diptera) are insects that can spread disease when they feed on human food

Maggot head, SEM C014 / 1449
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 eye. Close-up of one of the compound eyes of a bluebottle (family Calliphoridae) fly, showing the individual lenses (ommatidia, hexagonal)

Pale giant horse fly C014 / 9676
Common horse fly. Close-up of a pale giant horse fly (Tabanus bovinus), or cleg, showing its colourful compound eyes. Male horse flies (family Tabanidae) feed on nectar, but females feed on blood

Mosquito (Culicidae), close up

Housefly head. Close-up of the head of a housefly (Musca sp.), showing one of its compound eyes (centre) and mouthparts (lower centre). Magnification: x28, when printed 10 centimetres wide

Band-eyed brown horsefly (Tabanus bromius) on a nettle (Urtica sp.) leaf

Yellow dung fly. Yellow dung fly (Scathophaga stercoraria) on a stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) leaf. Photographed in Dorset, UK, in June

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

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

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

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 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

Housefly C018 / 2483
Housefly. The housefly (Musca domestica) is the most common of all domestic flies and is considered a pest that can carry serious diseases

Thick-headed fly on a flower C018 / 2387
Thick-headed fly (family Conopidae) on a flower. Conopid flies are distributed worldwide except for the poles and many of the Pacific islands. Photographed in Cantabria, Spain

Horsefly head C018 / 2406
Horsefly head. Close-up of the head of a horse fly (family Tabanidae), showing one of its large compound eyes (large, round). Each compound eye is made up of numerous simple eyes called ommatidia

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Dipteran, the fascinating world of flies. From the Hornet mimic hoverfly to the Stalk-eyed fly and its unique SEM C014 / 4882 appearance, these dipterans never cease to amaze. A close-up view of a Fly on sugar under an SEM reveals intricate details that often go unnoticed by our naked eye. The Maggot head, captured through an SEM C014 / 1449 image, showcases their peculiar yet intriguing features. The Bluebottle eye stands out with its mesmerizing hues while a close-up shot of a Mosquito (Culicidae) reminds us of their presence during summer nights. The Housefly head is another reminder of these common insects that share our living spaces. But not all they are mundane; take for instance the Band-eyed brown horsefly with its striking eyes or the Hoverfly head displaying vibrant colors and patterns. Even the Yellow dung fly has its own charm in nature's tapestry. Observing an European hoverfly delicately perched on an Aster sp. Flower brings forth appreciation for their role as pollinators in ecosystems worldwide. In this diverse group known as Dipteran, each species holds a unique place in our environment - whether it be mimicking other creatures like hornets or serving essential ecological functions such as pollination. These images offer glimpses into their captivating world and remind us to appreciate even the smallest creatures around us.