Size: |
House fly adult is about 1/8-1/4 in (4-7.5 mm) long,
female larger than male. Mature larva is about 1/4-3/8 in (7-10mm). |
Characteristics: |
Adult face has 2 velvety strips, silver above and gold below; thorax
has 4 narrow stripes; no pale spot behind head or rear tip of thorax;
sides of abdomen usually pale; sponging mouth parts. Larva is eyeless,
legless, tapered from rear to head, which is a pair of dark hooks. |
Color: |
Adult is dull gray. Larva is cream colored and greasy looking. |
Geographic Range: |
House flies are distributed worldwide, and throughout the U.S. |
Comparison with other species: |
Face fly males have eyes that almost touch. Flesh flies have only
3 dark stripes on thorax, and tip of abdomen usually red/pink, sides
of abdomen not pale. Stable flies have piercing mouthparts and thorax
with pale spot behind head. False stable flies have pale rear tip
of thorax. Cluster fly has golden hairs on thorax, which lacks 4 dark
stripes. |
Habitat: |
Females lay eggs on almost any warm, moist material with adequate
food supply for egg-laying and larval development. Most house flies
stay within 1-2 miles of their larval habitat if food is available,
though some have migrated up to 20 miles. During the day, they rest
less than 5 ft. from the ground; at night, mainly above 5 ft., but
near their food sources. |
Food: |
House flies are general feeders on liquids; attracted to many substances,
from excrement to human foods. House flies can liquefy solid foods
by regurgitation. |
Biology: |
Adult female lays oval, white eggs singly in clusters of 20-50,
laying 350-900 eggs in her lifetime. Eggs hatch in 8-20 hours. Larvae
go through 3 instars in 3-7 days at 70-90 degrees F. Full grown larvae
go to a cool, dry place to pupate, traveling up to 150 feet in 3-4
days. Pupa goes from yellowish to black during a period of a few days
to a month, depending on temperature and humidity. After emerging,
the body hardens and the wings dry within about an hour. Development
from egg to adult can be as few as 6 days, with 10-12 generations
per summer. Adults live 15-25 days. |
Damage: |
House flies excrete and regurgitate whenever stopping to rest. They
have many hairs and bristles, as well as sticky pads at the base of
the leg claws. Therefore, they tend to transmit disease organisms,
especially those associated with filth. |
