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Common house fly

Common house fly

Musca domestica

A species of Musca

The female common house fly mates once and can store the sperm for multiple batches of eggs throughout her life. She will lay anywhere between 75 to 150 eggs at a time, usually in rotting organic matter, where the larvae will feed. The adults feed on feces and animal matter, making them important ecological composters. However, they can also transmit pathogens to human food and are considered pests and health hazards in human-occupied areas.

Cause Disease in Humans
Pathogenic
General Info About Common house fly
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Attributes of Common house fly
Colors
Brown
Black
Red
Gray
Habitat
rural area; urban area
Adult Food Sources
Sugary substances, nectar, plant sap, animal feces, human foodstuffs
Larva Food Source
Decaying organic matter, manure, compost, garbage, animal excrement
Biting/stinging
Not reported
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Defensive attack
Not reported
Venomous
Not reported
Non-poisonous
The Common house fly is non-toxic and generally doesn't pose a risk to human health. No need for excessive worry.
Borer
Not reported
Pollinator
Not reported
Pest-Eating Predatory
Not reported
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Appearance of Common house fly
Common house fly is a small insect. The body is taupe and has four black vertical stripes on the back of the chest.
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How to Identify Common house fly?

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Life Cycle of Common house fly
Egg The embryonic common house fly is encapsulated within a protective eggshell. It is minute and deposited in secure, nutritive environments. Its primary function is development into the next stage.
Larva Emerging from the egg, the larval common house fly is worm-like with no functional wings. It grows rapidly, molting several times, and mainly focuses on feeding and growth.
Pupal The common house fly forms a pupa for transformation. This non-feeding, immobile stage involves reorganization of tissues, development of wings, and differentiation of adult features.
Adult Emerging from the pupa, the adult common house fly’s development is marked by the presence of wings and functional reproductive organs. The body is fully formed and hardened, and the adult is mobile, focusing on reproduction.
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Adult Size of Common house fly
3 - 6 mm
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Predators of Common house fly Larvae
Beetles, ants, wasps, spiders
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Predators of Adult Common house fly
Birds, reptiles, amphibians, spiders, insectivorous mammals, centipedes
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Interesting Facts About Common house fly
Common house fly can taste with their feet, walking across various surfaces to identify suitable food sources.
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Scientific Classification of Common house fly
Class
Bugs
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Order
Flies
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Genus
Musca
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Tips for Finding Common house fly
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Youth Habitat of Common house fly
Rotting and Decaying Matter, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas, Urban and Suburban Areas
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Habitat Preferences of Common house fly Through Different Life Stages
To find the various stages of common house fly, one must explore different habitats. The eggs are typically laid in warm, moist materials like decomposing organic matter or waste. Larvae, or maggots, are often found in similar but richer feeding grounds, as they need abundant nutrients for growth. Pupae generally reside close by, in drier and cooler places, such as soil nearby the larval feeding area. Adults are ubiquitous, but to find them, search indoors in human habitations or outdoors near food sources like garbage or animal excrement.
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When is the Best Time to Observe Common house fly
The best time to find adult common house fly is typically during the day since they are active when temperatures are warm. For their larvae, it is less time-dependent and more about locating their breeding sites.
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What is the Best Weather to Observe Common house fly
Warm and humid conditions are ideal for encountering common house fly, as these conditions favor their breeding and activity levels.
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How and Where Can You Find Common house fly at Different Life Stages
Egg Common house fly eggs are often laid in decaying organic material, such as garbage or manure. To find them, inspect moist and nutrient-rich environments where these sources are present.
Larva Common house fly larvae, also known as maggots, are typically found in the same decaying organic material as eggs. Look for these soft, pale creatures within decomposing matter or beneath the surface.
Pupal To find common house fly pupae, look in drier areas near larval food sources. These can be closer to the surface of soil or within cracks and crevices of larval habitats.
Adult Common house fly adults can be found near human dwellings, animal rearing areas, and places with accessible food sources. Look for them on windows, near garbage disposal areas, or around animal enclosures.
Are Common house fly harmful?
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The common house fly carries pathogens that can infect other creatures and could potentially lead to disease. It is dangerous to humans, pets, or plants.

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Are Common house fly harmful to humans?

Though the common house fly may seem like just a nuisance to some people, they can actually pose a threat to humans. The common house fly is suspected of transmitting at least 65 diseases, including tuberculosis, leprosy, typhoid fever, dysentery, and cholera. These diseases are transmitted when it regurgitates and excretes during rest. Every time a common house fly rests on furniture, food, or anything else, it may contaminate that item with the diseases it is carrying.
Prevention and control methods to reduce flies and the diseases they carry include proper sanitation, reducing lights that attract flies, reducing their access into the house, and utilizing screens, fly swatters, and traps, and applying pesticides and repellants. Consult a doctor if you experience any illnesses and frequently have flies in your home.
Harmful Effects of Common house fly
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Pathogenic
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Cause Disease in Humans

Common house fly can transmit diseases to humans through pathogen-contaminated surfaces and food. They are vectors for illnesses like E. coli and Salmonella, which cause symptoms ranging from diarrhea to severe dehydration. High-risk exposure can result in chronic digestive disorders or even death in vulnerable populations.

More Effects of Common house fly

Beneficial Effects of Common house fly
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Explore how insects help as pollinators, pest predators, and biocontrol agents. From seed dispersal to decomposition, they play vital roles in our ecosystem.
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Decomposers
Decomposers
Items
Dead Animals, Plant Remains, Animal Feces, Food Waste, Garbage
Common house fly primarily acts as a decomposer during its larval stage. The larvae consume a wide range of organic materials, including dead animals, plant debris, animal droppings, food waste, and refuse. They break down these items through their digestive processes, thereby facilitating the recycling of nutrients. These larvae play a crucial role in ecosystems by helping to clear away decay and contributing to soil fertility.
Common Questions People Also Ask
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