Flies
Flies (Diptera)
Flies (pronounced /flaɪz/; from Old English flēoge) are insects of the order Diptera. The name is derived from the Greek words di meaning two, and ptera meaning wings.
Etymology
The term "fly" is derived from the Old English flēoge, which is akin to the Old High German flioga, both of which mean "fly". The word "Diptera" is a combination of two Greek words: di meaning two, and ptera meaning wings.
Description
Flies are characterized by a single pair of flight wings on the mesothorax and a pair of halteres, derived from the hind wings, on the metathorax. Some species of flies are exceptional in that they are secondarily flightless. The only other order of insects bearing two true, functional wings plus any form of halteres are the Strepsiptera, and in contrast to the flies, the Strepsiptera bear their halteres on the mesothorax and their flight wings on the metathorax.
Related Terms
- Insect: A class of invertebrates within the arthropod phylum that have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body, three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes, and one pair of antennae.
- Diptera: An order of insects that includes flies, mosquitoes, gnats, and midges.
- Strepsiptera: An order of insects with nine families making up about 600 species.
- Metathorax: The posterior of the three segments in the thorax of an insect, bearing the third pair of legs and the second pair of wings.
- Mesothorax: The middle of the three segments of the thorax of an insect, bearing the second pair of legs and the first pair of wings.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Flies
- Wikipedia's article - Flies
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