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Skip Navigation LinksLife Forms==> Animal - Animalia==> Jointed Legged Animals - Arthropoda==> Insects - Insecta==> Flies - Diptera
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Order Diptera - Flies
Flies - Robber Flies

Asilidae
Bee Flies

Bombyliidae
Mosquitoes

Culicidae
Flesh Flies

Metopiidae
Flies - Muscid Flies

Muscidae
Flies - Flesh Flies

Sarcophagidae
Hover Flies

Syrphidae
Flies - Horse And Deer Flies

Tabanidae
Tachinid Flies

Tachinidae
Fruit Flies

Tephritidae
Stiletto Flies

Therevidae
Flies - Crane Flies

Tipulidae

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Narrative

Fly Order (Diptera) is distinctive in the insect world in that its members have only two wings. The hind wings are reduced to small knobs. There are probably about one hundred thousand species of flies in the world, of which more than sixteen thousand are in the United States alone.

This order contains many species of considerable economic importance. Several species spread disease. Other beneficial species consume dead and decaying flesh.

Taxonomy

Latin

English

Kingdom Animalia Animal
Phylum Arthropoda Jointed Legged Animals
Class Insecta Insects
Order Diptera Flies
Family
SubFamily

References

TitleAuthorComments
Beeflies of the WorldHull, Frank M.The beeflies or Bombyliidae are a family in the Diptera (=fly) order. WIth over 4,000 species known, this work attempts to provide an overview of the various genera and also references the published articles that are related. This 687 page monumental work also pictures many species with line drawings.
Catalog of the Diptera of America North of MexicoStone, AlanThis 1,696 page work lists the species of flies found in the United States and Canada within the appropriate family, subfamily, and genus. Each species entry shows the author and when it was described. Most of the species have a range given.
Insects of the WorldLinsenmaier, WalterThis large format 390 page book is an excellent overview of the beautiful and interesting insects of the world. With lots of color and text, this book can serve as an excellent introduction to the fascinating world of insects.
The Pictorial Encyclopedia of InsectsStanek, V.J.This 543 page book covers the various orders and families of insects. Many interesting and exotic species are pictured, and many of the pictures are in color. This is a very fine book.
A Field Guide to the InsectsBorror, Donald J.This book provides an excellent overview of the insects of America north of Mexico. Butterflies, moths, beetles, and other orders of insects are covered.
Insects of Hong KongHill, D.S.This 500 poage black and white book gives a good overview of the insects of Hong Kong, China. Wiht many line drawings and some photographs, one should be able to identify the common dragonflies, grasshopper, butterflies, and moths of the area.
Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Insects and SpidersMilne, Lorus and MargeryThe 702 color illustrations of living specimens are excellent. Spiders, scorpions, and Insects are covered. With a good coverage of arthropods, this book should be in any library that is used for identification. The text also mentions related species.
Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida - Volume IV InvertebratesDeyrup, MarkThis detailed work covers the mollusks and arthropods of Florida that are rare or endangered. Each species is described along with its range and habitat. Detailed disribution maps are also included. Almost 800 pages of detailed information make this a truly excellent work.
Freshwater Macroinvertebrates of Northeastern North AmericaPeckarsky, BarbaraThis work serves as an excellent overview of the aquatic insects of north east North America. Also crustacea and Mollusks are included. They keys are useful for identification purposes.
Larousse Encyclopedia of the Animal WorldVariousThis 640 page book covers the phyla in the animal kingdom, including a good survey of sponges, coelenterates, worms, misc. phyla, arthropods and chordates. With numerous pictures and diagrams, this work gives a good understanding of the taxonomy of the animal kingdom. The first half of the book covers the lower phyla, and the last half concentrates on the chordates. Numerous important species are described and pictured.
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