vlieg

Vlieg is the Dutch term for the true flies, insects of the order Diptera. This large and diverse group includes familiar species such as the housefly (Musca domestica), the fruit fly (Drosophila spp.), and many biting insects such as mosquitoes (Culicidae) and horseflies. Flies are characterized by a single pair of wings and two small balancing organs called halteres that aid in flight. Their mouthparts range from piercing-sucking to sponging or cutting.

Flies undergo complete metamorphosis: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Eggs are typically laid in habitats rich in organic matter or water. Larvae (maggots) feed on decaying material or living tissue, while adults often feed on nectar, fruit juice, or blood, depending on species. Pupation leads to the emergence of winged adults that disperse and reproduce.

Ecology: Flies occupy a wide range of habitats and perform important ecological roles. Many species act as pollinators or detritivores and form an important food source for other animals. Others are pests or disease vectors; houseflies can carry pathogens, and mosquitoes transmit diseases such as malaria, dengue, and Zika. Fruit flies are significant in agricultural contexts as pests and as model organisms in biology.

Human relevance: Some flies are beneficial in research, notably Drosophila melanogaster. Others pose public health or economic challenges, prompting sanitation, habitat management, and, where appropriate, chemical or biological control methods. Flies are found worldwide, with greatest diversity in warmer regions but occurring across most land habitats.