Brachycera is a suborder of Diptera. It is a major suborder consisting of around 120 families. The most distinguishing characteristic of the suborder is reduced antenna segmentation. A summary of main physiological characteristics follows: Reduced antenna size (with 8 or fewer flagellomeres). A maxillary palp (an elongated appendage near the mouth) having 2 segments or fewer. The back portions of the larval head capsule extend into the prothorax (the anterior part of the thorax which bears th… (More on Brachycera)