Dipterans

True flies are insects that have only one pair of working wings. Their back wings are changed into small, club-shaped parts called halteres, which help keep them balanced while flying. This group includes many different kinds of insects, from delicate midges and crane flies to strong hoverflies and bluebottles. Their mouthparts are very different depending on the type, designed for licking, piercing, or soaking up food. Most true flies go through a full change from larva to adult, with the young living either in water or on land. True flies can be found almost everywhere on land and in freshwater all over the world. In the UK, they live in places like upland bogs, streams, gardens, and cities. Many of these insects are important for pollinating plants, breaking down dead material, or serving as an important part of the food chain. Others can be pests or spread diseases.