Diptera Collection

Mosquito in Dominican amber
A mosquito in trapped and preserved in Dominican amber. Lower Miocene about 20 million years old. Image from Amber The Natural Time Capsule. Figure 90

H. W. Bates illustrated notebooks
Plate 7 from a notebook of Henry W. Bates (1825-92) relating to the insect fauna of the Amazon Valley or DRW, 1851-1854

Simulium damnosum, Simulian blackfly
Scanning electron microscope image of the head showing the compound eye (x 130). The fly is a vector of a parasite which causes River Blindness. Coloured artifically by computer

Mosquito (Aedes punctor) female resting after sucking blood from human arm. Sequence 4 / 4
Mosquito (Aedes punctor) female resting after sucking blood from human arm. Sequence 4/4

Fly on a cactus in the botanical garden in Valencia, Spain, Europe

Stalk-eyed fly, SEM C014 / 4882
Stalk-eyed fly. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head of a stalk-eyed fly (family Diopsidae). Stalk-eyed flies are mostly tropical insects

Hornet mimic hoverfly. Close-up of a hornet mimic hoverfly (Volucella zonaria) feeding on flowers. This insect is a European species of hoverfly (family Syrphidae). Photographed in Poland

Sandfly
Sandflies belong to the family Phlebotominae and are responsible of spreading sandfly fever

Fly on sugar, SEM
Fly on sugar, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Flies (order Diptera) are insects that can spread disease when they feed on human food

Blackfly antenna
Scanning electron microscope image of a blackfly antenna (x 350). These long sensory organs feel and taste objects as well as sensing vibrations and smells (x 1.1K)

Anopheles gambiae, mosquito
Scanning electron microscope image showing a close-up of the compound eye of a female mosquito (x 2200 on a standard 9 cm wide print)

Gall midge in Baltic amber
A gall midge is a fragile mosquito-like fly which produces galls on plants, seen here preserved in Baltic amber. Specimen dates from the Upper Eocene

Bee Fly - feeding on nectar from daisy flower. Larvae prey on or parasitise various stages of many insects
ASW-4788 Bee Fly - feeding on nectar from daisy flower. Larvae prey on or parasitise various stages of many insects Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Australoechus hirtus Alan J. S

Bluebottle maggots
Numerous bluebottle fly maggots or larvae feeding on carrion

Large bee-fly (Bombylius major) nectaring on Lungwort (Pulmonaria sp). In garden, Surrey, England, UK. March

California Gull (Larus californicus), foraging for alkali flies (Ephydra hians) by running through swarm snapping its bill, on the shore at Mono Lake, California, USA. Digital frame expansion

Bioluminescent Fungus gnat (Arachnocampa luminosa) larva attached to the cave roof with silk threads, Glowworm cave near Waitomo Cave, near Te Kuiti, North Island, New Zealand, July

Fungus gnat (Arachnocampa luminosa) pupa nearly fully developed hanging on a silk thread from the cave roof, Glowworm cave near Waitomo Cave, near Te Kuiti, North Island, New Zealand, July

Mosquito (Aedes punctor) female sucking blood from human arm. Sequence 1 / 4
Mosquito (Aedes punctor) female sucking blood from human arm. Sequence 1/4

A Long-legged fly (Neurigona quadrifasciata) rarely recorded in the UK, found during Bioblitz survey at Abbots Pool and woodland reserve, silhouetted against an Ivy leaf (Hedera helix), Bristol, UK

Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii) feeding on Common ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) flower, Arne RSPB reserve, Dorset, England, UK, August

Type Uncertain Maybe Long-legged Fly - Dolichopodidae
An iridescent fly rests on a white phlox blossom next to a drop of water

Yacare Caiman (Caiman yacare) gaping to regulate its body temperature, with attendant hoverflies, the Paraguay River, Taiama Reserve, western Pantanal, Brazil, South America

Large Robber Fly sitting on Curl leaf Spider Web, trying to catch spider to eat it
Assasin fly, Curled leaf spider, web, wildlife, Asilidae, bug, Diptera, Louise Docker Photography, 637054608

RF- Flesh fly (Sarcophaga) portrait

Great pied hoverfly (Volucella pellucens) feeding from bramble flower, Wiltshire, England, UK, July. Bumblebee mimic species

European Brown Bear (Ursus arctos arctos), a large male taking a rest in a cloud of mosquitoes. Kajaani, Finland. June

Redpoll (Carduelis flammea) male landing on Alder (Alnus glutinosa) Surrey, England. February

Black caiman (Melanosuchus niger) at water surface with horse flies on its head, Yasuni National Park, Orellana, Ecuador

Fly head, colored scanning electron micrograph
Fly head, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Close-up of the head of a fly, showing its short antennae (upper centre), which are seen between its compound eyes (brown)

Orange Fly
Andre J Fjørtoft

Calliphora, bluebottle
A bluebottle laying eggs on carrion

Sponsae Comitatus Ad Mariti Aedes Sub Noctem, image depicting the rites and ceremonies of escorting the bride on her
17th-century, aedes, affection, animals, antica, attraction, attractions, berlin-wedding, black, black-and-white, black-white, brew, brewing, brides, celebrate, celebrating, celebrations

Small fleck-winged snipefly (Rhagio lineola) sitting in typical posture on old pine (Pinus sp) log. Buckinghamshire, England, UK. July. Focus Stacked

Fly (Coenosia sp) resting on leaf, at dawn covered in heavy dew. Hertfordshire, England, UK. June. Focus Stacked

Fly orchid (Ophrys insectifera) in flower with resting fly, Lorraine, France. June

DDE-90027889
American Hover Fly, Metasyrphus americanus, on common danedlion, Taraxacum officinale, Stanley Park, British Columbia Date: 06/09/2007

Black tern (Chlidonias niger) hunting over water in prairie wetland for emerging midges (Chironomidae) Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Montana, USA. June

Cranefly (Tipula paludosa) flight trail over meadow in old quarry on autumn night in Somerset, England. September

INDO 20-07 446
Stalk-eyed Fly on leaf - Klungkung, Bali, Indonesia Date: 30-Jul-20

INDO 20-07 189
Fruit Fly on leaf - Klungkung, Bali, Indonesia Date: 05-Nov-04

INDO 20-05 24
Mosquito - on leaf - Klungkung, Bali, Indonesia Date: 05-Nov-04

INDO 20-05 104
Mimic Hoverfly - mimicking a thin-waisted Sphecid wasp in flight - Klungkung, Bali, Indonesia Date: 05-Nov-04

Female European hoverfly (Helophilus pendulus) pollinating Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) in flower, Belgium. August

Eastern bentwing / Eastern long fingered bat (Miniopterus orianae oceanensis) hibernating cluster in cave, one bat with bat fly (Hippoboscoidea) Girraween National Park, Queensland, Australia

Eastern long fingered bat (Miniopterus orianae oceanensis) roosting in a cluster on roof of a cave during day, a few ectoparasitic batflies (Hippoboscoidea) are visible, Girraween National Park

Curtis British Entomology Plate 768
Diptera: Hydrotaea ciliata = Hydrotaea diabolus [Plant: Anagallis minima (Chaffweed)] Date: 1824-39

Curtis British Entomology Plate 765
Diptera: Simulium trifasciatum Curtis [Plant: Limosella aquatica (Mudwort)] Date: 1824-39

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Diptera, the order of insects commonly known as flies and mosquitoes, encompasses a vast array of species with fascinating characteristics. From ancient times to modern scientific discoveries, it has captured the attention of researchers and nature enthusiasts alike. One remarkable find is the mosquito trapped in Dominican amber, preserved for millions of years. This tiny creature offers a glimpse into prehistoric ecosystems and evolutionary history. Similarly, H. W. Bates' illustrated notebooks provide valuable insights into the world through his meticulous observations. Within this diverse order, we encounter various species such as Simulium damnosum, also known as the Simulian blackfly notorious for transmitting diseases to humans and animals. On the other hand, there are harmless yet intriguing creatures like the hornet mimic hoverfly that imitates its dangerous counterpart for protection. The female Aedes punctor mosquito takes center stage in Sequence 4/4 by resting after feeding on human blood—a behavior both captivating and unsettling. Meanwhile, examining a blackfly antenna reveals intricate structures adapted for survival. Anopheles gambiae stands out among mosquitoes due to its role as a carrier of malaria—a disease that continues to affect millions worldwide. In contrast, spotting a fly on a cactus at Valencia's botanical garden reminds us that they are be found even in urban environments across Europe. Delving deeper into their anatomy using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), we discover astonishing details about stalk-eyed flies—creatures with elongated eye stalks that serve various purposes within their complex biology. Not all Diptera pose threats or hold significant medical importance; some simply lead quiet lives like sandflies or enjoy indulging in sugar feasts under SEM observation—an unexpected sight indeed. Lastly, gall midges encased in Baltic amber offer glimpses into ancient plant-insect interactions—an invaluable resource for understanding ecological relationships throughout time. Exploring Diptera opens up an enthralling world of insects that range from disease vectors to harmless pollinators.