Diptera

Common name:

Flies and mosquitoes

Distribution:

Found in almost all terrestrial habitats in the world with the Antarctic Midge native to the Antarctic continent

Habitat:

Humid, moist environments, but can also be found in deserts, forests, mountains

Diet:

Adults feed on plant or animal juices or other insects

Number of species globally

150,000

Number of species in Hong Kong :

423

Morphology
(how to recognize them) :

-Only one pair of functional wings, the hindwings are modified into club-shaped organs, called halteres
-Mouthparts modified into straw-like structures
-A pair of large compound eyes

Diagram

Did you know ?

Flies are capable of great maneuverability during flight due to the presence of the halteres. Halteres act as a balance and guidance system by providing rapid feedback to the wing-steering muscles, and flies deprived of their halteres are unable to fly.