Household Flies: Biology, Behavior, and Control Dr. Richard M. Houseman Department of Entomology University of Missouri

Flies Order Diptera Complete Metamorphosis Motivation Have two wings 110,000 species worldwide Aquatic and terrestrial Medically important Complete Metamorphosis Egg, maggot, pupa, adult Motivation Food, light, sex, temperature

Fly Development Life Cycle Egg Larva Pupa Adult Feeding Growing -Mating

Fly IPM Inspection Identification Mechanical (exclusion, traps) Cultural (sanitation) Chemical (baits, aerosols)

Fly Identification Three groups Small flies Filth flies Nuisance flies Less than ¼” in length Various breeding sites Filth flies Infest indoors Nuisance flies Invade from outdoors

Small Flies

Fruit Fly Drosophila spp. Several species 1/8 inch long Tan in color Red eyes

Fruit fly Drosophila sp.

Fruit Fly Life Cycle 7-10 days Eggs laid on fruit About 500 eggs per female Hatch after 24-30 hrs Larvae feed on fermenting sugars 5-6 days Pupate in drier areas near food

Fruit Fly Breeding sites Inspection Ripened fruits and vegetables Moist organic matter in cracks, crevices Mops, Drains Garbage Inspection Often multiple breeding sites Adults not always near breeding sites

Phorid Fly Megacelia scalaris 1/10 inch long Arched thorax Dark brown No red eyes Humpbacked fly Phoridae

Humpbacked fly Phoridae

Phorid Fly Life Cycle 14-37 days Eggs laid on surface of DOM 40 eggs over 12 hr period Hatch after 24 hrs Larvae feed on moist DOM 9-16 days Pupate in dry areas close to food

Phorid Flies Various Breeding Sites Decomposing plants or animals Organically enriched soil under slab Dirty floor drains, disposals, drip pans Trash containers Crevices at base of kitchen equipment Potted plants, terrariums Feces Cadavers

Phorid Flies Inspections Need to be very thorough Often multiple breeding sites Masking tape method for drains and slabs

Moth Fly Psychoda alternata 1/8 inch long Pointed, hairy wings Long, drooping antennae Moth fly Psychoda sp.

Moth Fly Life Cycle 8-24 days Eggs laid on gelatinous lining or moist DOM 30-100 eggs per female Hatch after 48 hrs Larvae feed on algae, bacteria, sludge in gelatinous film Utilize breathing tube 10-15 days Pupate for short period

Moth fly Psychoda sp.

Moth Fly Breeding sites Gelatinous organic matter Sink/sewer drains, sump pumps Shower pans Porta potties Mops, brooms Crawlspaces Sewers/sewage treatment nearby

Moth Fly Inspections Strongly attracted to light Masking tape method for drains Check spider webs in crawlspaces Drill holes in wall behind shower pan (light)

Mosquito Culicidae Thin bodies Long mouthparts Scales on wing veins Culex sp.

Mosquito Life Cycle Eggs laid singly or in rafts Hundreds of eggs per female Female generally needs blood to make eggs Larvae live suspended from water surface Breathe through air tube on rear end Move about by wiggling Feed on algae, bacteria, organic debris Pupae breathe through horns on head

Mosquito larvae Culicidae

Mosquito larvae Culicidae

Mosquito Breeding Sites Inspections Ponds, lakes, ditches Culverts, manholes Bird baths, gutters Pots, cans, buckets, other containers Old tires Inspections Breeding sites for larvae Vegetation around structure for adults

Filth Flies

House fly Musca domestica ¼ inch long Dull gray 4 dark stripes on thorax Sponging mouthparts

House fly Musca domestica

House Fly Life Cycle 6-10 days Eggs laid on fresh feces or garbage 750-900 eggs per female Larvae burrow into food material to feed 6-8 days May migrate several hundred feet from feeding site Pupate for short period

House fly Musca domestica

House fly Breeding sites Inspections Wet garbage Manure Rotting grains Focus outdoors primarily Pet manure areas Trash bins, decaying fruits/vegetables

Blow Fly Calliphora Phormia ¼ inch long Metallic colors

Green bottle fly Calliphora erythrocephala

Blow Fly Life Cycle 4-12 days Eggs laid on carcasses, feces, garbage 180 eggs per time (2400 total) Hatch after 8 hrs Larvae burrow into food material Feed for 2-7 days Crawl short distance from food Burrow into soil to pupate Pupate for 2-5 days

Green bottle fly Calliphora erythrocephala

Green bottle fly Calliphora erythrocephala

Blow Fly Breeding Sites Inspections Dead animals Feces Garbage Focus outdoors primarily Dead animals, trash, feces Indoors usually result of dead rodent 180+ flies from a single dead mouse

Nuisance Flies

Cluster Fly Pollenia rudis 3/8 inch long Golden/yellow hairs on the top of the thorax Buckwheat honey odor

Cluster fly Pollenia rudis

Cluster Fly Life Cycle 25-36 days (Four generations) Eggs laid in cracks in soil surface One egg at a time Larvae locate earthworm Burrow into worm Feed for 14-22 days Exit earthworm to pupate Pupate for 11-14 days

Cluster Fly Breeding Sites Inspections Lawns and pastures Locate exterior cracks/crevices South/west surfaces best Inspect attics/wall voids

Crane Fly Tipulidae Large flies Gangly looking Very long legs Mosquito-like Crane fly Tipulidae

Crane Fly Breeding Sites Inspections Damp habitats with abundant vegetation Inspections Usually considered occasional invaders Open doors/windows likely source Pose no threat indoors No treatment recommended

Midge Chironomidae 1/4 inch Mosquitoe-like No long mouthparts

Midge Life Cycle Breeding sites Inspections Larvae live in bottom of still water Breeding sites Pools, puddles, ponds Inspections Strongly attracted to lights Look inside light fixtures, windowsills

Fly Control Sanitation Exclusion Baits Breeding site elimination Reduce ability to gain entry Baits Food-based Sex-based

Flies Feeding Food is the MOST important motivation Odors very attractive Detect over large distances Locate mates at feeding sites FEEDING and BREEDING sites

Flies Sanitation critical Regularly empty/wash trash cans Use tightly sealed trash cans Regularly clean drains Regular rotation of fresh fruits/veggies

Flies Temperature Important attractant at short distances Prefer low 80’s Enter from outside during hot days Attracted to warm walls when cold comes Exclusion critical

Flies Light Sex Many flies are diurnal UV Usually used to lure into a trap Not all species attracted equally to UV light Invaders very attracted Infesters not attracted as much Placement is critical Sex Males to female pheromones Used to lure into traps

Contact Info: Dr. Richard M. Houseman Department of Entomology 1-87 Agriculture Bldg University of Missouri Columbia, MO 65211 housemanr@missouri.edu