True Flies - Diptera

The True Flies, Diptera, are a vast and very diverse order of insects, with 7,000 known species from the British Isles alone. There is no reliable estimate of the number of species recorded in Shropshire, but with the diversity of habitats found in the county, it is certain that there will be a great variety of species present.

In Shropshire, relatively few families of Diptera have received much recording attention. The crane flies (a group of families of slender and long legged flies) have been extensively recorded, "Big Headed Flies" - Pipunculidae and "Thick Headed Flies" - Conopidae have also received some attention. The maps contain records for these three families.

There are records of flies from other families and these will be added to the True Flies map pages over the coming months.

Hoverflies have also been extensively recorded and a map page for this family can be viewed here

Nigel Jones December 2008.