A dipteran, or “true fly,” is any member of the insect order Diptera. The group is one of the largest animal orders, with over 160,000 species. Dipterans are relatively small, soft-bodied insects. Most adults have sucking mouthparts and two wings. They are maggots as larvae.
Dipterans have significant ecological roles, both beneficial and detrimental. Maggots break down organic matter, enriching soil and supporting plant growth. Adults and larvae serve as an abundant food source for higher animals. Some flies, including mosquitoes, screwworms, and tsetse flies, are pests and vectors of disease, transmitting pathogens through bloodsucking or mechanical transfer.