Brachycera

Brachycera is a suborder of flies within the order Diptera. They are commonly referred to as short-horned flies because their antennae are comparatively short, usually consisting of three segments with the third segment bearing a stylus or arista. In contrast to the long, multi-segmented antennae of many Nematocera, Brachycera tend to have a more robust and compact body form.

The suborder encompasses a wide range of families, including Tabanidae (horse flies), Asilidae (robber flies), Syrphidae (hoverflies), Bombyliidae (bee flies), Tachinidae (parasitic flies), Muscidae (house flies), Empididae (dance flies), Stratiomyidae (soldier flies), Dolichopodidae (long-legged flies), and Drosophilidae (fruit flies), among others.

Larvae of Brachycera are diverse in their ecology, being saprophagous, predatory, or parasitoid depending on the lineage. Adults often feed on nectar and pollen, and many species are important pollinators. In certain groups, such as Tachinidae, larvae develop as internal parasitoids of other insects, playing a significant role in natural control of pest populations.

Brachycera are globally distributed and occupy a wide range of habitats, from forests and meadows to human-altered environments. Some species are pests or disease vectors, notably Muscidae, while many others are beneficial as pollinators or biological control agents. As a major suborder of Diptera, Brachycera is contrasted with Nematocera, which includes mosquitoes and related flies.