Diptera is an order of two-winged insects, of which the common house-fly and bluebottle are familiar examples. They are characterized by a body with slight coriaceous coverings, a trunk open beneath, and containing a sucker composed of two, four, or six-lancet-shaped elongated scales, two palpi, antennas almost always composed of three joints, large eyes, an abdomen of four to seven distinct segments, tarsi with five joints, and two short clubbed appendages called halteres or balancers, which seem to be the rudiments of the posterior pair in four-winged insects, and are kept in continual motion. All undergo complete metamorphosis, and all are oviparous except the Sarcophaga, which issue from their mother in shape of larvae; and the Pupipara, which first make their appearance as nymphs. The greater number live on the sap of flowers, but some feed on blood, others fasten on other animals to lick up their perspiration, their sores, or various secretions. Research Diptera
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Abbreviations
Nature
Research Diptera
