Image: House Fly, Musca domestica
Description
House flies Family Muscidae - House Fly, Musca domestica
- Photographer:
- Richard Major
- Rights:
- © Australian Museum
Additional information
House flies Family Muscidae
Adult house flies usually have spongy mouthparts and feed on fluids such as human perspiration or solid food that can be liquefied by the secretion of fly-saliva upon it. The larvae of many species of house fly are compost and/or dung feeders, although they can also feed on carrion.
The true House Fly, Musca domestica, has been transported world-wide by humans and although the adults are commonly observed feeding on exuded fluid from a corpse, the larvae are usually dung feeders. Adults are most common at corpses in the early stages of decomposition when the corpse is moist.
Another type of House fly, Australophyra rostrata, is attracted to corpses in the later stages of decomposition, after maggots of blowflies have disappeared, but before the corpse is fully dry. The maggots feed on the carrion, but they sometimes also prey on smooth maggots.
Would you like to add a comment?
Sign up to add comments and find out more about the other benefits you can enjoy.
Would you like to add a tag?
Sign up to add tags and find out more about the other benefits you can enjoy.
Support us
Help us continue to provide quality research, education, community programs and exhibitions.
Online Shop
Featuring a selection of products relating to the collections.
Australian Museum Members
Join today to come to the Museum for free and enjoy many other benefits.
AMBS
Australian Museum Business Services - Ecological, archaeological and heritage consulting.
Museum as a Venue
We have many unique venues ideal for dinner, cocktails, weddings and conferences.