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Alula: a membranous flap near the base of the trailing edge of the wing.

Antennae: these are segmented and usually short. 

Arista: a bristle-like structure on the final segment of the antenna.

Cell: the area between the veins in the wing.

Compound eyes: Diptera have two large multi-faceted eyes, placed on each side of the head. The distance between the eyes is often indicative of the sex of the fly.

Coxa: the first segment (from the body) of the leg.

Dorsal or Dorsum: the upper surface of the insect.

Face: the frontal area of the head, below the antennae.

Femur: the third section (from the body) of the leg.

Frons: the area between the ocelli and the base of the antennae.

Halteres: the modified second pair of wings (looking like drum sticks). They work like a gyroscope to aid balance in flight. 

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Jowls: the area on the side of the head below the eyes.

Knob: the raised area or 'central prominence' in the middle of the face.

Legs: consisting of fore-legs, mid-legs and hind-legs. Each of these is divided into the coxa, trochanter, femur, tibia and tarsus.

Ocelli - these organs on the vertex (top) of the head are simple eyes.

Occiput: the area behind the eyes - the back of the head.

Pleura: the sides of the thorax.

Plumose: 'feathered' - referring to a form of the arista.

Scutellum: the semi-circular projection at the rear of the thorax.

Squama: an area of membrane at the base of the wing, adjacent to the thorax.

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Sternites: the segmental plates on the lower side of the abdomen.

Stigma: an often darkened area (or cell) between the first two long veins adjacent to the leading edge of the forewing.

Tarsus: the foot - fifth and final part of the leg (which is further segmented).

Tergites: the segmental plates on the upper side of the abdomen.

Thorax: the section of the body between the head and abdomen.

Tibia: the fourth section (from the body) of the leg.

Trochanter: the second segment (from the body) of the leg.

Veins: the struts that support the wing membrane.

Ventral : the under surface of the insect.

Vertex: the top of the head including the area where the ocelli are positioned.

Wing: unlike bees, wasps and many other insects, flies only have one pair of functional wings. The second pair (halteres) are much reduced.

Wing shade: an area in the centre of the wing which is darker coloured than the rest of the wing. Commonly found in hoverflies.

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