House fly (Musca domestica)

Identification

• Is one of the most common flies in North America
• Adults range in size from 4 to 7.5 mm in length, with females generally larger than males
• Light grey in color, with 4 black, longitudinal stripes on the thorax
• Mouthparts adapted for sponging

Habitat and Behaviour

• Can harbour and transmit diseases to humans—over 100 different pathogens have been isolated from house flies
• Is highly attracted to air currents and odours which come from buildings
• Tends to rest on structures below 1.5 m during daylight; in the evening they prefer to rest higher
• Adults capable of extended flight; however, they tend to remain within a couple miles of their larval habitat
• Prefers breeding sites such as manure, garbage, and other decaying organic material

Lifecycle

• Undergoes complete metamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa, adult)
• Eggs are very tiny and are deposited by females singly or in clusters of 20 to 50
• Females lay a maximum of 350 to 900 eggs in their lifetime
• Eggs are deposited in moist material
• Larvae seek out a cool, dry environment when they are ready to pupate
• Lifecycle, from egg to adult, is dependent on temperature and environmental conditions and can be completed in as little as 6 days
• Adult lifespan is typically 15 to 25 days