Order Diptera

Abstract

The order Diptera, the 'true' or two-winged flies, is among the most speciose insect orders, containing nearly 160,000 described species globally. At least 30 families occur primarily or exclusively in aquatic habitats, including familiar groups such as black flies, midges, mosquitoes, and horse flies. Their diversity in species richness, structure, life habits, and economic significance is associated with remarkable habitat use, both terrestrial and aquatic. In this chapter we discuss only Diptera associated with waterbodies, including coastal marine, saline and estuarine waters, lakes of all depths, ponds and marshes, cold and hot springs, seepages and groundwater zones, stagnant ground-pools, plant-held waters, saturated wood, and streams of every current velocity. We review the general biology of aquatic Diptera, including their structure, life cycles, reproduction and behavior, and provide a synopsis of collection, rearing, and preservation techniques. Show more