I Nematocera sono un sottordine di insetti primitivi, dotati di antenne filamentose o piumose.

The body and legs are usually elongate and these flies have a relatively long abdomens.

Examples of the Nematocera include the midges (including Mycetophilidae, Sciaridae and Bibionidae), gnats, mosquitoes (Culicidae), crane flies (Tipulidae) and black flies (Simuliidae).

The larvae are mostly aquatic and have distinct head with mouthparts that may be modified for filter feeding. The pupae are orthorrhaphous (meaning adults emerge from the pupa through a straight seam in the pupal cuticle).

Many species swarm, some form mating swarms of males, in some of these competition for females is extreme. Although many species (as larvae) have a strong association with water, even within a single family there is a trend toward semiaquatic and terrestrial habitats.

Nematocera is a paraphyletic suborder; it is a category of convenience.

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Nematocera | Nematocera