House Fly

Order/family: Diptera/Muscidae

Scientific Name: Musca domestic

Description: House flies are 1/8” to 1/4” long. They are dull gray with four dark stripes on the back of the thorax. They have two wings, of which the fourth longitudinal wing vein has a sharp upward turn. The head is dominated by large red-brown compound eyes which are surrounded by a light gold stripe. Short antennae emerge from between the eyes. They have sponging mouthparts. Mature house fly larvae or maggots are spindle shaped and creamy white. They have dark mouth hooks at the head end and breathing slits that look like a “wavy w” at the larger tail end. House fly larvae are 1/4” to 3/8” lengthen they change to the brown seed-like pupal stage.