Diptera ~ Flies

There are two basic body types in this order: either long legged and slender, or more compact. The latter are sometimes difficult to distinguish from bees or wasps, due to extensive use of mimicry. Adult flies feed on liquids and their mouthparts are either modified for piercing, like a hypodermic needles, or for sponging fluids, which is accomplished by a fleshy structure and digestive enzymes which liquefy food. Larvae can have a variety of feeding mechanisms, including mandibles for biting, piercing or rasping. The name "diptera" refers to the fact that flies have only two wings instead of the usual four. The rear pair of wings have become modified into small gyroscopic organs called halteres, which aid in maneuverability and orientation. Dipterans develop through complete metamorphosis: the larvae are usually called maggots, and they go through a pupal stage before reaching maturity. Larvae and adults live in different habitats. Size ranges from minute to medium. A fly measuring 25 mm in body length is considered huge for the group. The majority of flies are often hard to place even to family, due to variations within a group or similarities to others. The small size of many species does not help matters. These are the Families of Diptera (flies) likely to be encountered in Austin, Texas:

Muscidae [house flies, etc.]	Sarcophagidae [flesh flies]	Tabanidae [horse flies, deer flies]	Calliphoridae [blow flies]	Bombyliidae [bee flies]	Tachinidae [tachinids]
Syrphidae [flower flies]	Stratiomyidae [soldier flies]	Hippoboscidae [louse flies]	Pyrgotidae [pyrgotids]	Conopidae [thick-headed flies]	Bibionidae [march flies]
Therevidae [stiletto flies]	Asilidae [robber flies]	Mydidae [mydas flies]	sciomyzidae [marsh flies]	Heleomyzidae [heleomyzid flies]	Scathophagidae [dung flies]
Lauxaniidae [lauxaniid flies]	Platypezidae [flat-footed flies]	Drosophilidae [pomace flies]	Anthomyiidae [root maggot flies]	Chloropidae [grass flies]	Rhagionidae [snipe flies]
Pipunculidae [big-headed flies]	Ephydridae [shore flies]	Psychodidae [moth flies]	Tephritidae [fruit flies]	Sepsidae [black scavenger flies]	Micropezidae [stilt-legged flies]
Ulidiidae [picture-winged flies]	Platysomatidae [platysomatid flies]	Culicidae [mosquitoes]	Chironomidae [midges]	Mycetophilidae [fungus gnats]	Tipulidae [crane flies]
	Cecidomyiidae [gall midges]	Sciaridae [dark-winged fungus gnats]	Dolichopodidae [long-legged flies]	Neriidae [cactus flies]