Bug Identifier
House fly
Community identification

House fly

Musca domestica

Order & Family
Order Diptera, Family Muscidae
Size
6–7 mm in length
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Worldwide, primarily associated with human activity and settlements

Diet & Feeding

Liquid diet consisting of decaying organic matter, feces, and food waste

Behavior Patterns

Diurnal, active during the day; reproduction occurs on moist organic substrates; capable of fast flight and highly sensitive to motion

Risks & Benefits

Significant risk as a carrier of diseases including salmonella and cholera; beneficial to the ecosystem by breaking down organic matter