Housefly is amazing - Nature Creature Quest

“A housefly is basically any member of the Musca genus, containing about 60 species.” | Photo is my own

on December 23, 2023

To start some houseflies innocent insects who are just is always looking for the next meal. And on a person, there are all sorts of housefly treats (Dead skin cells, for example). That is why they buzz around you. They also hope that you have a banana (or some other food item for them to snack on). But yet there is a flip side. Some species are hematophagous (feed on blood). For example Musca crassirostris does so. See below to know how to differentiate it from a housefly.

For some photos to give the idea of the diversity (Not all species have been listed), please see https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=any&taxon_id=120157&view=species

A housefly | Photo is my own

Housefly males and females are quite different. A “he” fly has no or very little space between his eyes, but a “she” fly has plenty of space between her’s eyes; Now comment whether the house fly above is a “he” or a “she” fly.

And yes, and they are similar species within the genus, for example:

Musca amita and M. autumnalis: These two are different because Musca amita has less space between eyes than M. autumnalis;

Musca vitripennis and M. osiris: These two’ males are different because Musca osiris has less space between eyes than M. vitripennis; for females, M. osiris has less setae between eyes than M. vitripennis; Setae are basically insect hairs.

Musca crassirostris and M.domestica: M. crassirostris has a pelicular proboscis and a differently coloured abdomen

Note that these are just 3 examples and it doesn’t include all similar species.

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You may know insects have compound eyes, a kind eye which are basically a lot of hexagonal independent “eyes” who work together to create an image, like pixels of an image which are the bits of colours that form beautiful images. Houseflies have approximately 3000 ommatidia, but unfortunately this amount cannot give very detailed, high resolution vision.

Most people know that houseflies are found on every corner of the world. Have you ever wondered why? They feed on decomposing material, poop and carcasses, the sources of which, are everywhere. So wherever they are sufficient amounts of animals and plants, they could adapt.

Houseflies occur oftenly in swarms, and are well adapted for city envoiroments. This makes them very important for helping in the decomposition process, because not may species capable of this could adapt to the city.

Gallery of houseflies

This mesmerising gallery has 3 species, many individuals, and even more photos.

The housefly is an incredible insect, and is one of the best examples of a successful species; Sadly, people are being mean to these important creatures.

Any questions?

This was just limited info on these houseflies; If you have any questions, then ask in the comments;

Pls comment your thoughts and rate the article. It’s a big thing for us!

Housefly fly insects insects houseflies flies Muscomorpha Muscidae Musca Brachycera Brachyceran Cyclorhapha Arthropod Arthropoda Arthropod Insect Insect Insects

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