FLIES
FLIES (ORDER: DIPTERA)
Flies are insects belonging to the order Diptera, characterized by having only one pair of wings, unlike most insects that have two pairs. This unique wing structure allows for remarkable agility in flight. There are over 120,000 species of flies worldwide, ranging in size, shape, and behavior. They are found across all continents, thriving in various habitats from tropical rainforests to urban environments. While some species play important ecological roles, others are notorious pests due to their habits of contaminating food and spreading diseases.
Why Flies Are Considered Nuisance Pests in Homes and Other Environments
- Food Contamination:
- Flies often land on food, transferring pathogens from contaminated surfaces, including garbage, decaying matter, and feces.
- Disease Transmission:
- Flies are vectors for a variety of diseases, including dysentery, cholera, typhoid fever, and food poisoning. They spread bacteria and viruses through contact with their legs, bodies, and regurgitation habits.
- Breeding in Unsanitary Conditions:
- Many fly species breed in decomposing organic matter such as garbage, animal waste, and spoiled food, contributing to unsanitary conditions and unpleasant odors.
- Biting Species:
- Some species, like horse flies and stable flies, can inflict painful bites on humans and animals, feeding on blood and causing discomfort and irritation.
- Infestation Risk:
- Flies reproduce quickly, with some species capable of laying hundreds of eggs in their lifetime. These eggs can hatch within a day, leading to rapid infestations in homes and businesses.
| Characteristics | House Fly | Fruit Fly | Blow Fly | Drain Fly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Scientific Name |
Musca domestica |
Drosophila melanogaster |
Calliphoridae family |
Psychodidae family |
|
Size |
6-7 mm |
3-4 mm |
8-10 mm |
1.5-5 mm |
|
Color |
Gray with four dark longitudinal stripes on the thorax |
Tan to light brown |
Metallic green, blue, or black |
Light gray to tan |
|
Habitat |
Found in homes, restaurants, garbage areas |
Found around rotting fruit, sugary foods, and fermented liquids |
Found near dead animals, garbage, and decaying organic matter |
Found in bathrooms, kitchens, and around drains |
|
Reproduction |
Females can lay up to 500 eggs in their lifetime; eggs hatch within 12-24 hours |
Females lay up to 500 eggs in decaying fruit or fermented liquids |
Females lay eggs in decaying animal matter, garbage |
Lay eggs in damp organic matter, especially inside drains |
|
Wings |
One pair of fully functional wings |
One pair of wings; weak flyers |
Strong wings, fast fliers |
One pair of wings, weak fliers |
|
Activity |
Active during the day, especially around food and waste |
Active mostly during the day, attracted to sugary substances |
Active during the day, especially around dead animals and waste |
Active in low light, mostly at night, near drains |
|
Lifespan |
2-4 weeks |
8-14 days |
2-3 weeks |
1-2 weeks |
|
Distinctive Traits |
Common household pests, spreads diseases |
Small and attracted to decaying fruit and alcohol |
Shiny, metallic body; feeds on dead animals |
Also known as “moth flies,” their wings resemble moth wings |
REFERENCES:
- Gullan, P.J., & Cranston, P.S. (2014). The Insects: An Outline of Entomology (5th ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.
- McAlpine, J.F. (1981). Manual of Nearctic Diptera. Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, Monograph No. 27.
- Greenberg, B. (1973). Flies and Disease: Ecology, Classification, and Biotic Associations. Princeton University Press.
- West, L.S. (1951). The Housefly: Its Natural History, Medical Importance, and Control. Comstock Publishing Associates, Cornell University Press.
- Robinson, W.H. (2005). Urban Insects and Arachnids: A Handbook of Urban Entomology. Cambridge University Press.
- Chapman, R.F. (2013). The Insects: Structure and Function (5th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
- Stoffolano, J.G. Jr., & Haselton, A.T. (2013). Physiological Systems in Insects (3rd ed.). Academic Press.
- Romoser, W.S., & Stoffolano, J.G. (1998). The Science of Entomology (4th ed.). McGraw-Hill.
- Kettle, D.S. (1995). Medical and Veterinary Entomology (2nd ed.). CAB International.
- Foil, L.D., & Hogsette, J.A. (1994). “Biology and Control of Stable Flies and Horn Flies.” Annual Review of Entomology, 39(1), 111-128.
- Hinnebusch, B.J., & Jarrett, C.O. (2014). Vector-Borne Diseases and Public Health Pests: Surveillance, Prevention, and Control. Springer.
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