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Flies:
Blow Fly, Bottle Fly | Fruit Fly (small), Vinegar Fly | Fungus Gnats, Root Gnats | House Fly
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Common name: |
Latin name: |
Class: |
Order: |
Family: |
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House Fly |
Musca domestica Linnaeus |
Insecta |
Diptera |
Muscidae |
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Size: |
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Adult is about 1/8-1/4 inch (4-7.5 mm) long. Females are larger than males. Mature larva is about 1/4-3/8 inch (7-10mm). |
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Characteristics: |
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Adult face has 2 velvety strips, silver above and gold below; thorax has 4 longitudinal narrow stripes; sides of abdomen usually pale; spongy mouth parts. Larva is eyeless, legless maggot, tapered from rear to head, with a pair of dark hooks. |
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Color: |
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Adult is dull gray. Larva is cream colored and greasy looking. Pupae are brown and egg shaped. |
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Where Found: |
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Throughout the U.S. and worldwide. |
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Comparison: |
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Flesh Flies have only 3 dark stripes on thorax, and tip of abdomen is 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. |
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Habitat: |
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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 at most from their larval habitat if food is available. Some studies have documented cases of further migration. During the day, they rest less than 5 ft. from the ground; at night, mainly above 5 ft., but always near food sources. |
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Food: |
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General feeders on liquids; attracted to many substances, from excrement to human foods. Can liquefy solid foods by regurgitation. |
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Biology: |
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Adult female lays oval, white eggs singly in clusters of 20-50, laying 350-900 eggs in lifetime. Eggs hatch in 8-20 hours. Larvae go through 3 instars (stages) 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 depending on temperature. |
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Damage: |
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Excrete and regurgitate whenever stopping to rest. Have many hairs and bristles, as well as sticky pads at the base of the leg claws that tend to transmit disease organisms, especially those associated with filth. |
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Control: |
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Reduction in population of this pest starts with sanitation. Identification of breeding sites is important for control. Using tight-fitting closures for garbage receptacles and emptying, cleaning and drying them on a regular basis will help. Cleaning up after pets will help greatly in reducing attraction of these flies to your property. Pesticides can help in reduction of numbers, but it cannot stand alone without sanitation back-up as a control measure. Applications of residual pesticides can help when placed on fly resting areas. Look for other sources on neighboring properties if reduction is not realized after the above steps are taken. If flies have entered interior areas, they can be knocked down with a non-residual flying insect material. Check window screens and door seals to help keep flies from entering the structure. Finding and eliminating the source is the best way to achieve long-term control. When using any pesticide, be sure it is registered for the target pest/location. Read the entire label prior to use. Follow all label directions, restrictions, and precautions. |
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