Characteristics and Facts about Flies (Diptera) - Insects
There are over 120,000 species of flies – house flies are the most common species.
All species of flies have three main body parts – the head, abdomen and thorax.
The entire body of a fly also has a hard outer surface (called exoskeleton) used to protect its internal organs.
When fuly grown, flies are usually about ¼ - ½ of an inch in length.
Flies lay up to about 3,000 eggs in their lifetime of one month.
Flies have three pairs of jointed legs and these legs are attached to their thorax.
All species of flies have three main body parts – the head, abdomen and thorax.
The entire body of a fly also has a hard outer surface (called exoskeleton) used to protect its internal organs.
When fuly grown, flies are usually about ¼ - ½ of an inch in length.
Flies lay up to about 3,000 eggs in their lifetime of one month.
Flies have three pairs of jointed legs and these legs are attached to their thorax.
Flies only have 2 eyes, but each of their eye has over 4,000 lenses (allowing the creatures to see 360 degrees).
A fly's vision is sharp for only 61 - 91 cm.
Most insects have 4 wings, but flies only have two, and their wings can beat up to about 200 times per second.
Since all flies have only two wings, they are then grouped as insects of the order Diptera (which literally translates to “two wings”). This family also includes gnats, deer flies, horse flies, botflies and blow flies.
When initiating thier take off, all flies jump up then backwards before moving forward.
A fly's vision is sharp for only 61 - 91 cm.
Most insects have 4 wings, but flies only have two, and their wings can beat up to about 200 times per second.
Since all flies have only two wings, they are then grouped as insects of the order Diptera (which literally translates to “two wings”). This family also includes gnats, deer flies, horse flies, botflies and blow flies.
When initiating thier take off, all flies jump up then backwards before moving forward.
Many of human’s deadly diseases were transmitted by flies such as yaws, cholera, dysentery, typhoid fever, leprosy, anthrax and tuberculosis.
A fly can carry as many as 5 – 6 million bacteria on its feet.
A fly can infect food by merely landing on it.
Flies hunt by sight, this is why they only hunt during daylight hours.
The easiest way to keep flies out of our home is to keep things clean.
Flies defecate every 4 to 5 minutes.
A fly can carry as many as 5 – 6 million bacteria on its feet.
A fly can infect food by merely landing on it.
Flies hunt by sight, this is why they only hunt during daylight hours.
The easiest way to keep flies out of our home is to keep things clean.
Flies defecate every 4 to 5 minutes.
Flies have a smelling distance of over 750 yards.
Flies vomit on food before eating it. Their vomit is actually a tool used to liquefy their food because flies only can consume liquids. Their saliva turns the rest into complete liquid so that they can swallow it.
Flies dont bite or sting. They dont have teeth or a stinger.
Flies have a glue like substance (that help them stick to surfaces) on the pads of their feet.
Flies are attracted by movement more than color.
The fly is one of the fastest flying insects.
On the surface of each of fly’s wing, there are tiny hairs used to detect changes in air pressure during their flight.
Fly DNA is 75% similar to human DNA.
Baby flies are called larvae. They are also commonly referred to as maggots.
Fly larvae will hatch into maggots within 24 hours.
Special species of maggots are used by medical doctors to help patients with flesh wounds, especially burn victims. The damaged flesh would be eaten away by these maggots and this helps the wound heal.
In 1923, Black flies in swarms were said to be responsible for the deaths of about 20,000 sheep, cattle and horses in Rumania and Bulgaria.
Flies also serve as an important food source for other animals such as reptiles, fish, birds and even for certain species of meat eating plants like Venus flytrap.
Flies vomit on food before eating it. Their vomit is actually a tool used to liquefy their food because flies only can consume liquids. Their saliva turns the rest into complete liquid so that they can swallow it.
Flies dont bite or sting. They dont have teeth or a stinger.
Flies have a glue like substance (that help them stick to surfaces) on the pads of their feet.
Flies are attracted by movement more than color.
The fly is one of the fastest flying insects.
On the surface of each of fly’s wing, there are tiny hairs used to detect changes in air pressure during their flight.
Fly DNA is 75% similar to human DNA.
Baby flies are called larvae. They are also commonly referred to as maggots.
Fly larvae will hatch into maggots within 24 hours.
Special species of maggots are used by medical doctors to help patients with flesh wounds, especially burn victims. The damaged flesh would be eaten away by these maggots and this helps the wound heal.
In 1923, Black flies in swarms were said to be responsible for the deaths of about 20,000 sheep, cattle and horses in Rumania and Bulgaria.
Flies also serve as an important food source for other animals such as reptiles, fish, birds and even for certain species of meat eating plants like Venus flytrap.