Which Flies Have No Wings?
WouterIf you’ve ever wondered which flies have no wings, you are not alone. It’s true, some flies are completely without wings, including bat flies. These tiny insects are part of the hippoboscoidea fly family and are often mistaken for spiders. But unlike spiders, they are able to fly, even with no wings!
Most insects have two pairs of wings, but a subclass of insects called Apterygota has no wings. They are small, agile insects that don’t fly very far. They don’t even bother with the larval stage. These species are parasitic on birds and mammals, and can be found in our homes.
Some land birds, like vultures, can fly without flapping their wings. This is due to their high aspect-ratio wings, which minimize wingtip turbulence and enable them to stay aloft at lower speeds. Another answer to the question, “What flies without wings?” is time. Other animals do not need wings to fly, which makes them ideal for swimming and diving.
Most insects have two pairs of wings, but true flies have only one pair. In addition to their wings, true flies have small balancing organs called halteres. These organs vibrate and allow them to detect changes in direction.
