What Makes a Fly a Fly? Know the Key Characters to Tell a Fly From a Wasp

摘要

Some groups, or orders, of insects are easy to tell apart, but others can be difficult. You can usually tell a beetle from a fly, but can you always tell a fly (order diptera) from a wasp, bee, or winged ant (order hymenoptera)? These are the insect groups that are most often confused. Some small, pesky flies or gnats look very much like small, beneficial parasitic wasps. Some harmless flies mimic yellowjacket wasps as a defense against predators. What characteristics make a fly a fly?