Flies Pest Control

Family: Muscidae
Characteristics:• Single pair of membranous wings
• Hindwings modified as halteres
• Suctorial mouthparts, piercing or non-piercing
• Large compound eyes
• Tarsi, 5-segmented
• Metamorphosis complete with egg, larval, pupal and adult stages
Species characteristics Common Housefly (Musca domestica)

• Adults, 6-8mm long with 13-15mm wingspan
• Grey thorax with 4 longitudinal dark stripes
• Basal half of abdomen buff-coloured and occasionally transparent at sides, with central dark band broadening to cover last abdominal segments; at rest, wings are spread
• Venation shows a sharp upward bend of 4th vein at apical end

Areas where found:
Common Houseflies (M. domestica) are ubiquitous insects, with a flight range of at least 8 kilometres (5 miles). They are highly active indoors. Houseflies remain active and reproduce throughout the year. Lesser Houseflies (F. canicularis) are frequently encountered in poultry houses. They have an erratic flight pattern and are often seen flying in large numbers around indoor light fittings. The Lesser housefly is more tolerant of cool conditions than the Common housefly.