An Ant-Decapitating Fly (Phoridae, Pseudacteon sp.) attempts to separate a fire ant (Solenopsis macdonaghi) from her nestmates. Lone ants make easier targets. Parque Nacional El Palmar, Argentina - Alex Wild Photography - Insect Photography

Flies

are the most underappreciated of the major insect orders. While they are best known for pests like the domestic house fly and their association with mosquito-borne diseases like malaria, in truth the harmful species are a small minority. These insects are the most adept of all the flying animals, they were instrumental in building the science of genetics, and they are among the most important pollinators of flowering plants.

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An Ant-Decapitating Fly (Phoridae, Pseudacteon sp.) attempts to separate a fire ant (Solenopsis macdonaghi) from her nestmates. Lone ants make easier targets.

Parque Nacional El Palmar, Argentina

An ant-mugging fly (Milichia patrizii) forces a Crematogaster ant to give up her food stores. South Africa.

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Two Tabanus horseflies face off in a territorial skirmish atop a mountain in California's Sierra Nevada.

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Cave-dwelling larvae of the fly family Keroplatidae (predaceous fungus gnats) spin sticky silk draglines to entrap insect prey. The larva itself is visible at left, just below the rock face.

Armenia, Belize

Lines of sticky silk hang from the roof of a Belizean cave, helping a predaceous fungus gnat (Keroplatidae) capture flying insects.

Armenia, Belize

Several hundred meters into a wet cave, in complete darkness save the illumination of headlamps, predaceous fungus gnat larvae (Keroplatidae) drape sticky draglines to entrap insects that emerge from the running water beneath.

Armenia, Belize

Musca domestica - the common house fly

Urbana, Illinois, USA

Mallophorina robber flies are visual predators, and their enormous eyes help them to capture prey in the air. Arizona.

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Flies are among the most important pollinators. Here, an Eristalis drone fly (Syrphidae) visits a Prunus flower. California.

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An Ant-Decapitating Fly (Phoridae, Pseudacteon sp.) attempts to separate a fire ant (Solenopsis macdonaghi) from her nestmates. Lone ants make easier targets.

Parque Nacional El Palmar, Argentina

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Flies

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