Common fly species

To describe flies, it can be observed that they possess only one pair of wings. Most fly species are small, soft-bodied creatures, typically featuring two large compound eyes that cover the front of their heads. Grey flies measuring approximately 6mm in length that appear inside or near homes are commonly referred to as house flies.

For the most part, flies frequently inhabit garbage dumps, animal carcasses, and feces. Fly larvae also thrive in these organic substances.

The most common fly species you will encounter during pest control operations are described below:

Blow Fly

Characteristics: Blow flies are larger than house flies and are distinguished by their metallic green or bluish-black bodies and large compound eyes occupying most of the head area. Their bodies are clearly divided into three sections (head, thorax, abdomen), with one pair of thin transparent wings and a specialized tube-shaped proboscis used for lapping and sucking liquid food.

Size: 10 – 15 mm

Location: Primarily found in garbage dumps and animal carcasses

Food sources: Meat, dead animals, animal feces, and decaying fruits and vegetables

Pest vectors and nuisance: Disease transmission and causing annoyance.

Note: Larvae develop in decomposing meat or animal manure. Animal carcasses are typically the primary source.

>> Read more: Information and identification of blow flies

Cluster Fly

Characteristics: The body is dark grey, blackish-grey, or brownish-grey. The unique identifying feature is the thorax (back), which is covered with numerous fine, curly golden hairs. This fly species lacks the 4 dark longitudinal stripes on its back that are characteristic of the house fly.

Size: 10 mm

Location: Found on flowers during warm weather, appearing indoors during autumn and spring, particularly in attics and wall voids. Dirty walls, curtains, and clothing serve as their hiding places.

Food sources: Larvae parasitize earthworms

Note: They fly sluggishly when indoors

Face Fly

Characteristics: The distinct difference between males and females lies in the abdomen and eyes: while females have a mottled blackish-grey abdomen and a wider forehead between the two compound eyes compared to house flies, males possess a very bright orange-yellow abdomen on the sides with a black stripe running down the center, along with compound eyes that almost touch when viewed from above.

Size: 6 mm (slightly larger than a house fly).

Food sources: Adult flies feed on secretions from the eyes and noses of livestock. Larvae feed on cattle manure.

Pest Impact: Causes significant nuisance to domestic pets and livestock

Note: Face flies are a major pest problem in the northern United States.

House Fly

Characteristics: The body is dark grey or dull grey. The most crucial identifying feature of this fly species is the presence of 4 distinct, parallel dark longitudinal stripes on its thorax (back).

Size: 6 mm

Location: In yards or indoors

Food sources: Any human or animal food

Pest Impact: Disease transmission and causing disturbance

Note: Larvae develop in almost all decaying organic matter

Moth fly or Drain fly

Characteristics: This fly species has a light grey, dark grey, or yellowish-brown body, with wings that are typically a bit lighter in color.

Size: 2.5 mm

Location: Organic sludge and decaying vegetables.

Pest Impact: Nuisance

Note: Larvae develop in moist organic matter

The fly life cycle

The fly life cycle consists of 4 stages: egg, maggot (larva), pupa, and adult fly.

Depending on the environmental temperature, the transition from egg to adult fly typically takes 3 to 5 days.

Adult flies have a lifespan of approximately 1 to 2 months, and under optimal conditions, they can live up to 3 months.