House Fly
Scientific Name: Musca domestica
Order & Family: Diptera: Muscidae
Size: 6 mm to 7 mm (about 1/4 inch) in length
Natural Habitat
Commonly found in and around human habitations, farms, and food processing facilities worldwide.
Diet & Feeding
Generalist feeders consuming rotting organic matter, manure, and human food through liquid regurgitation.
Behavior Patterns
Diurnal insects that are active during the day; they undergo complete metamorphosis from eggs to larvae (maggots), pupae, and adults.
Risks & Benefits
Significant risks as vectors for over 100 pathogens including salmonella and cholera; benefits limited to aiding in decomposition of organic waste.
Identified on: 6/13/2026