Flies

Diptera

Description

Flies are often abundant and found in almost all terrestrial habitats in the world apart from Antarctica. Fly larvae are tiny, cream-whitish, legless, and often worm-like. Dipteran adults are not long-lived, and their function is only to mate and lay eggs.

Life Cycle

The flies develop through four life stages: egg, larva or maggot, pupa, and adult. Flies live 15 to 30 days, and a female fly can lay over 500 eggs in her lifetime. The eggs hatch within 12-24 hours and the maggots feed for about five days on rotting plant or animal material. Afterward, the maggots look for a dry and dark location for pupation. Depending upon the species of fly, and weather conditions, it may take one to four weeks to complete a life cycle. Flies can produce two or more generations per month.

Damage

Although flies are primarily nuisance pests, they can spread diseases such as food poisoning and dysentery. They may also contaminate food and surfaces by defecating on them.

Control

Advice

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