House Fly

House Fly

House Fly: Musca domestica

  • Habitat: found near human habitations
  • Size: 8-12mm long
  • Predators/Prey: Many birds, reptiles, amphibians, and spiders eat flies. The flies feed on dead or decaying organic matter, like garbage or feces.
  • Population: 15-25 days
  • Interesting facts: Flies digest their food by vomiting digestive juices onto the food then sucking it back up. Because they have a liquid diet they constantly excrete their feces.

bar graph icon  Voting Ballot

House Fly

This is the original scanning electron microscope (SEM) image before it was colorized.

Be part of Ask A Biologist

by volunteering, or simply sending us feedback on the site. Scientists, teachers, writers, illustrators, and translators are all important to the program. If you are interested in helping with the website we have a Volunteers page to get the process started.

help support Ask A Biologist