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"Nematocera" (Non-Brachycera)

Phanton Cranefly - Bittacomorpha clavipes

Mosquito - Feeding Sequence - Aedes vexans - female

March Fly - Penthetria heteroptera - male

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Diptera (Flies)

No Taxon "Nematocera" (Non-Brachycera)

Other Common Names

Long-horned Flies

Lower Diptera

Explanation of Names

Greek nemato 'thread' + ceras 'horn'(1)

Identification

The most distinctive identification feature is the antennae which have 6 or more segments. Most have long and slender antennae, which in some families can be highly plumose. Other families have short, thick antennae (eg. the march flies - Bibionidae). Most of the flies in this group have slender bodies and long, narrow wings.

Remarks

This paraphyletic group contains the most "primitive" flies

Works Cited

1.	Composition of scientific words Brown R.W. 1956. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC. 882 pp.

Contributed by Joel Kits on 14 April, 2005 - 7:27pm
Additional contributions by cotinis, Beatriz Moisset, Keith Bayless, v belov, Harsi S. Parker, Chris Angell
Last updated 21 July, 2024 - 9:24am

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