Members of this Order of insects are extremely diverse. Many are small and agile flies as their name suggests. Some flies carry the tainted reputation for being carriers of disease such as malaria and yellow fever. Fly groups include crane flies, midges, gnats, mosquitos, black flies, horse flies, window flies, robber flies, bee flies, house flies, fruit flies, shore flies, dung flies, flesh flies and many others.

Robber flies are not to be trifled with. Capable of immobilizing bees, wasps and other insects larger than itself, robberflies catch their prey in mid air. As with other aerial predators, robberflies have excellent vision, characterized by two conspicuous compound eyes. The mouthparts of this family have been modified to a stabbing proboscis. Flies were revered by the ancient Egyptians who awarded a military honor in the form of a golden fly pendant.

Members of this Order of insects are extremely diverse. Many are small and agile flies as their name suggests. Some flies carry the tainted reputation for being carriers of disease such as malaria and yellow fever. Fly groups include crane flies, midges, gnats, mosquitos, black flies, horse flies, window flies, robber flies, bee flies, house flies, fruit flies, shore flies, dung flies, flesh flies and many others.

These brine flies are found in the millions along the shores of Mono Lake in Northern California. Native American tribes used to gather the fly puparia as food. Their larvae feed on the algae that grows in the warm shallows of this salty lake. Adults feed on other insects who land on the water but are generally preoccupied with the reproductive tasks at hand. Their abundance along less salty bodies of water makes them an important food source for fish. Clouds of these small black flies take to the air as you wander into their seemingly inhospitable niche. I found tiger beetles busy catching these shore flies.

Members of this Order of insects are extremely diverse. Many are small and agile flies as their name suggests. Some flies carry the tainted reputation for being carriers of disease such as malaria and yellow fever. Fly groups include crane flies, midges, gnats, mosquitos, black flies, horse flies, window flies, robber flies, bee flies, house flies, fruit flies, shore flies, dung flies, flesh flies and many others.

This mosquito and a related species serve as a vector for Dengue fever virus. Mosquito larvae are aquatic, feeding on algae and organic debris. Larvae are named wrigglers and utilize a breathing tube to pierce the surface tension of their water nursery. The pupal stage is active and named tumblers. Adult male mosquitos feed on nectar and plant juices and have bushy antennae whereas female mosquitos are notorious for seeking the blood meal they needs to collect enough protein to lay eggs. Hawaii was mosquito free until 1826, when a boat from Mexico accidentally introduced the Culex genus. Hawaiians initially considered them a novelty for the “singing in the ears.”

Members of this Order of insects are extremely diverse. Many are small and agile flies as their name suggests. Some flies carry the tainted reputation for being carriers of disease such as malaria and yellow fever. Fly groups include crane flies, midges, gnats, mosquitos, black flies, horse flies, window flies, robber flies, bee flies, house flies, fruit flies, shore flies, dung flies, flesh flies and many others.

Crane fly adults only live for a couple of days and do not usually feed. Their larval stages are usually aquatic. These flies easily loose their long spindly legs if handled. Because of their size, you can study the “halteres” organs. Halteres function as balancing gyroscopes and are located just behind the first set of wings on the thorax. This large crane fly is sometimes mistaken for a giant mosquito due to conspicuous mouthparts. In England, they carry the common name of “daddy-long_legs”, not to be confused with Phalangida group of arachnids which also carry this common name. The French call these insects “cousins”.

Members of this Order of insects are extremely diverse. Many are small and agile flies as their name suggests. Some flies carry the tainted reputation for being carriers of disease such as malaria and yellow fever. Fly groups include crane flies, midges, gnats, mosquitos, black flies, horse flies, window flies, robber flies, bee flies, house flies, fruit flies, shore flies, dung flies, flesh flies and many others.

This Brazilian dung fly was close to its egg laying goal after locating dropping on the forest floor. The larvae of these flies will burrow into and feed on dung and rotting plant material before pupating in the soil. They are very similar in appearance to some of the Muscid house flies. Adults are predaceous feeding on other flies and other insects with the help of a piercing proboscis. Males possess more hair than the females and have yellow coloration.

Members of this Order of insects are extremely diverse. Many are small and agile flies as their name suggests. Some flies carry the tainted reputation for being carriers of disease such as malaria and yellow fever. Fly groups include crane flies, midges, gnats, mosquitos, black flies, horse flies, window flies, robber flies, bee flies, house flies, fruit flies, shore flies, dung flies, flesh flies and many others.

Bee flies are well adapted to feeding on the nectar reserves of flowers. They have long beak-like mouthparts and are able to hover perfectly still in front of a flower while they probe for the sweet rewards. Their profuse furriness and general bee-like appearance affords them their name. Like many adult insects, their larval stages are characterized by more sinister activities. Bee fly larvae parasitize ground nesting bees and beetles.

Members of this Order of insects are extremely diverse. Many are small and agile flies as their name suggests. Some flies carry the tainted reputation for being carriers of disease such as malaria and yellow fever. Fly groups include crane flies, midges, gnats, mosquitos, black flies, horse flies, window flies, robber flies, bee flies, house flies, fruit flies, shore flies, dung flies, flesh flies and many others.

Flies are an extremely diverse group of insects and have adapted to exploit numerous environments. This fly feeds and lays its eggs in bird droppings. Some flies have even adapted to live out their larval stages within naturally occurring pools of petroleum. One type of small fly known as a midge is responsibly for the pollination of our favorite tree, without which there would be no chocolate.