Flyes

Flyes, commonly spelled flies, are insects of the order Diptera. In scientific usage, the plural is flies; flyes is an uncommon or historical variant. The order Diptera includes a wide range of species, from houseflies and fruit flies to mosquitoes and midges.

Description and anatomy: Most true flies have a single pair of wings and halteres, small club-shaped balancing organs that replace the hind wings. They typically have short antennae and compound eyes. Mouthparts vary widely: many feed on liquids by sponging or lacerating; others pierce-suck; some adults feed on nectar.

Life cycle: Flies undergo complete metamorphosis. Eggs are laid in suitable substrates such as decaying organic matter, animal dung, or water. Larvae, called maggots, are usually legless. They pupate, and adults emerge to reproduce. Generation times vary widely across species, from days to months.

Ecology and behavior: Flies occupy many habitats and have diverse ecological roles. They act as pollinators in some contexts, decomposers as larvae, and prey for other animals. Some species feed on blood or host tissue and can transmit diseases to humans or livestock. Others are beneficial as biological controls or as model organisms in genetics and developmental biology (notably Drosophila melanogaster).

Impact and control: Flies influence agriculture and public health as pests and disease vectors. Pest management relies on sanitation, physical barriers, traps, biological controls, and chemical insecticides; newer approaches include sterile insect techniques and targeted biotechnologies. Understanding fly biology helps mitigate nuisance and disease risks while preserving their ecological roles.