# Flies (*Diptera*) Flies are tiny insects that buzz around and can be found almost everywhere! They have big eyes and can fly really fast, making them fun to watch. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Flies can be found in many places including gardens, forests, and near water sources. - **Also known as:** House Fly ![Flies](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Bessenbandzweefvlieg_Vrouwtje_%282%29.JPG&width=800) Photo: Sjonnoh, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bessenbandzweefvlieg_Vrouwtje_%282%29.JPG) ## Appearance The Flies has a diverse appearance, typically featuring a head with large compound eyes, a segmented body, and a single pair of functional wings. They often have delicate, sometimes iridescent, or hairy bodies, and six jointed legs. Their unique two wings (plus two tiny balancing organs) makes them visually distinct from most other insects. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Diptera - **Family:** Tachinidae ## Interesting facts - Even though they have excellent eyesight, flies can't see the color red very well! - Flies use their special, tiny club-shaped organs, called halteres, for balancing during flight! - Some flies, like hoverflies, cleverly mimic bees or wasps to scare predators! - The tiny larvae of many flies, called maggots, are super decomposers, cleaning up nature! ## Special abilities - **Acrobatic Flight:** Flies can perform incredible aerial maneuvers because of their powerful flight muscles and unique balancing organs called halteres. - **Super Sight:** Flies has large compound eyes that help them see almost 360 degrees around, making it very hard to sneak up on them. - **Sticky Feet:** Flies can walk on walls and ceilings because of tiny hairs and special pads on their feet that create suction and grip. - **Taste-Feet:** Flies can taste their food by walking on it because they have taste receptors on their feet, much like our tongues. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 1-150 mm - **Size:** 0.5-100 mm - **Lifespan:** 7-90 days - **Flight Speed:** 8 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Flies have incredibly varied diets, from nectar to decaying matter to blood! - **Age differences:** Larvae often eat decaying matter or plant roots, while adults feed on nectar or blood. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Decaying organic matter, Blood, Other insects, Plant sap - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Barn Swallow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/barn-swallow) (*Hirundo rustica*) — Swallows are agile insect hunters. - **Eaten by:** [Cross Orbweaver](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cross-orbweaver) (*Aranaeus diadematus*) — Spiders often trap flies in webs. - **Pollinates:** [New England Aster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/new-england-aster) (*Aster novae-angliae*) — Many fly species visit flowers for nectar. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Flies? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Flies's wingspan? 1-150 mm ### How big is Flies? 0.5-100 mm ### How long does Flies live? 7-90 days ### How fast can Flies fly? 8 km/h ### What does Flies eat? Flies have incredibly varied diets, from nectar to decaying matter to blood! ### Where is Flies usually found? Flies can be found in many places including gardens, forests, and near water sources. ### How does Flies hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/long-island-aquarium-and-exhibition-center) — New York, US · Aquarium - [Rio Grande Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rio-grande-botanic-garden) — New Mexico, US · Zoo - [California Academy of Sciences](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/california-academy-of-sciences-california) — California, US · Zoo - [Butterfly House, Missouri Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/butterfly-house-missouri-botanical-garden) — Missouri, US · Zoo - [Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/key-west-butterfly-and-nature-conservatory) — Florida, US · Zoo - [California Academy of Sciences](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/california-academy-of-sciences) — California, US · Aquarium [View all places to see Flies](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/flies) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Flies: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/flies)