House Flies
The House Fly, Musca domestica Linnaeus, is very well known, partly because it is the most common of all domestic flies, found virtually anywhere there are human habitations. Consequently, it has worldwide distribution, and since it often feeds on animal feces and garbage, it can carry serious diseases. It is strongly suspected that house flies can transmit at least 65 different diseases to people. Note: People often mistake Cluster flies, Pollenia rudis, for House flies, and another fly that is very similar in appearance to the House fly is the Stable fly (University of Florida), Stomoxys calcitrans, which is also called the Biting House Fly because it does in fact bite. It tends to keep low to the ground so exposed feet and/or ankles are particularly at risk when this fly is near. The adults of both sexes of Stable fly feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals.
Additional Information:
- House Flies (Penn State)
- House Fly (University of Florida)