|
|
Fly Identification
- House flies, mosquitoes, crane flies, etc. -
|
Summary: The flies are an extremely large group of insects that includes such diverse forms as mosquitoes and house flies. Proper identification is the first step toward effective fly management.
Jack DeAngelis, PhD
OSU Ext. Entomologist (ret.)
|
|
|
|
|
 There are thousands of species of flies worldwide -- from house flies to mosquitoes. They all belong to the insect order called Diptera and are distinguished from all other insects by having only 1 pair of wings as adults, other winged insects usually have two pairs of wings.
Researchers recognize two broad groups of flies, "higher flies" and "primitive flies". The so called higher flies include, for example, house flies, horse flies, cluster flies, fruit flies and black flies while the primitive flies are the mosquitoes, crane flies, midges, gnats, and other small, delicate flies.
|
|
|
|
house fly about 1/4" long
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Fly larvae
Larval, or immature, flies are generally called maggots. Maggots can develop in manure, rotting vegetable matter, decomposing animal tissue, and, in some cases, living animal and plant tissue, some are even predators. The larvae of some flies, like mosquitoes and black flies, develop in the water while some larvae, for example crane fly larvae, live in the soil and feed on plant roots. Fly maggots are generally legless and without a distinct "head" (some primitive flies have a distinct, dark head capsule, however).
Flies undergo complete metamorphosis. This means that in addition to the larval stage flies exhibit a pupal stage in which the tranformation from larva to adult occurs. Fly pupae are distinctive between groups and can often aid in identification.
|
|
|
Fly identification and control
Effective fly control depends on determining the identity of the pest fly because this will often be a good clue about where the flies are developing. The site where fly larvae are developing is sometimes called the breeding source. Next, once this source is found, you can often reduce fly numbers by managing, treating or eliminating the source. Sometimes the source is obvious but sometimes it is not. Use the links below for more detailed information about particular flies.
Common pest flies: [mosquitoes] [black flies] [house flies] [cluster flies] [crane flies] [vinegar flies & fruit flies] [fungus gnats] [sweet itch;caused by tiny biting flies] [horse and deer flies]
Printable guide to "higher" nuisance flies: Nuisance Fly Biology Guide (pdf)
|
|
|
|
|
|
