Flying Insects

This is one of the five mega-diverse insect orders, spanning a wide range of anatomical, biological and ecological specialisations.

Diptera currently comprises approximately 150,000 described species in 150 families; however, the total number is much higher if species which are still to be described are included.  It is estimated that there are 30,000 species of Diptera in Australia, of which only 6,400 have been described, from 104 families.

Flies can be distinguished from other insects because:

·     They have two functional wings

·     Their hind pair of wings have been reduced to small balancing organs called halteres.

Almost all flies have mouthparts that are adapted for lapping or piercing and sucking.

A diverse component of the world’s fly fauna is unique to Australia.  The Australian continent is home to a large number of Diptera species.  Flies are ever-present / ever present and often abundant in Australian terrestrial ecosystems.  The biology and behaviour of flies are extremely diverse.  They perform important ecological functions such as nutrient recycling, predators or parasites, pollination and some are important pests, some are vectors of disease and yet others are used in biological control. All in all they are an essential part of our ecosystems.

Many species of Diptera are regarded as a nuisance. These include:

·     Bush fly (Musca vetutissima);

·     Mosquitoes; and

·     Sandflies and blackflies.

Flies outrank other insect orders in terms of medical and veterinary significance, being responsible for the transmission of a wide variety of disease-causing micro-organisms in humans and animals.  Most of these diseases are absent from Australia, with exceptions such as dengue fever and various encephalides.  Malaria has been eradicated from Australia.