Flies are more than
just pesky insects that buzz around your home or business; they are fascinating
creatures with some surprising characteristics. While most people are eager to eliminate
them, learning more about these insects can be exciting and educational. Here,
we present some fun facts about flies that will make you see them in a new
light.
Fun Fact 1:
Flies Have a Short Lifespan
Did you know that the
common housefly (Musca domestica) only lives for 15-30 days? Despite their
short lives, they can reproduce rapidly, laying up to 500 eggs in their
lifetime. This rapid reproduction is one reason fly infestations can quickly
become problematic.
Fun Fact 2:
Flies Taste with Their Feet
Flies have taste
receptors on their feet, allowing them to taste anything they land on. This is
why they are often found in food and other organic materials—they can instantly
sense if it’s something they want to eat. Their feet are equipped with taste
organs called chemoreceptors, which can detect sugars and other substances.
Fun Fact 3:
Flies Can See Behind Them
Flies have compound
eyes with thousands of lenses, giving them a wide field of vision. This makes
it very difficult to swat them, as they can see movement from nearly every
direction. Each compound eye comprises 3,000 to 6,000 simple eyes (ommatidia),
allowing flies to detect even the slightest movements.
Fun Fact 4:
Flies Can Walk Upside Down
Flies can walk on
ceilings and vertical surfaces thanks to tiny hairs and sticky pads on their
feet. This ability allows them to explore and infest all areas of a building.
The sticky pads, known as pulvilli, excrete a glue-like substance that helps
them stick to surfaces.
Fun Fact 5:
Flies Are Disease Carriers
Flies can carry more
than 100 pathogens, including E. coli and Salmonella. They spread these
pathogens by landing on food and surfaces, making them a significant health
risk. The pathogens are picked up on their bodies and legs from decaying matter
and then transferred to clean surfaces.
Fun Fact 6:
Flies Can Lay Hundreds of Eggs at Once
A single female
housefly can lay up to 2,000 eggs in her lifetime, usually in batches of 75 to
150 eggs. The eggs are tiny and white and laid in moist, decaying organic material. Within a day, the eggs hatch into maggots, commonly known as larvae.
Fun Fact 7:
Flies Have a Metamorphic Life Cycle
Flies undergo
complete metamorphosis, which includes four distinct stages: egg, larva
(maggot), pupa, and adult. This life cycle allows them to adapt to various
environments and quickly establish populations.
Fun Fact 8:
Flies Can Fly at Speeds Up to 5 Miles Per Hour
Flies are swift for
their size and can fly up to 5 miles per hour. Their rapid flight and agile manoeuvres
make it difficult for them to catch and swat.
Fun Fact 9:
Flies Clean Themselves Constantly
Despite being
associated with filth, flies spend much time grooming themselves. They
constantly clean their bodies, wings, and eyes to remove dirt and debris, which
helps keep their sensory organs functioning correctly.
Fun Fact 10:
Flies Are Attracted to Carbon Dioxide
Flies are attracted
to the carbon dioxide that humans and animals exhale. This is one reason they hover
around them, especially in enclosed spaces.
Fun Fact 11:
Flies Have Been Around for Millions of Years
Flies are ancient
insects that have existed for over 65 million years. Fossil records show that
they lived during the time of the dinosaurs, adapting and evolving throughout
the ages.
Fun Fact 12:
Flies Are Used in Forensic Science
Blowflies are a type
of fly often used in forensic science to help determine the time of death in
criminal investigations. Their life cycle can provide essential clues about the
timing and circumstances of a death.
Fun Fact 13:
Flies have only one pair of
wings
House Flies have only
one set of membranous wings, unlike other insects. Their second set of reduced
wings is mainly used to balance while flying.
Flies are fascinating
insects with unique abilities and characteristics. While they are often
considered pests due to their association with disease and filth, understanding
their biology and behaviour can provide valuable insights into their role in
the ecosystem. Whether you find them intriguing or annoying, there's no denying
that flies are remarkable creatures that have adapted to survive in a wide
range of environments.
