# Housefly (*Musca domestica*) The Housefly is a common insect that buzzes around homes and gardens. They are usually grey and have big eyes! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Homes, farms, and gardens - **Also known as:** Common Fly, Fly ![Housefly](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424331/objects/5512.jpg) ## Appearance The Housefly has a grey body with four dark stripes on its thorax, and large, reddish-brown compound eyes. Its abdomen is often mottled, and it possesses clear wings. This common fly is distinguished by these prominent thoracic stripes. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Diptera - **Family:** Muscidae - **Genus:** Musca ## Interesting facts - Adult houseflies only live for about 15 to 30 days, a very short lifespan! - Houseflies 'vomit' on food to digest it outside their body! - Houseflies can lay hundreds of eggs at once in decaying food or waste! - Their wings beat over 200 times per second, making that buzzing sound! ## Special abilities - **Gravity-Defying Grip:** Housefly can walk upside down because of tiny claws and sticky pads on its feet, helping them cling to surfaces. - **Super Sight:** Housefly has huge compound eyes that help them detect movement quickly, allowing them to dodge swatting hands. - **Aerial Acrobatics:** Housefly can perform incredible mid-air turns because of specialized wing muscles and tiny balancing halteres. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 13-15 mm - **Size:** 6-7 mm - **Lifespan:** 15-30 days - **Flight Speed:** 8 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding They love to slurp up sugary liquids and decaying stuff! - **Primary Foods:** decaying organic matter, sugary liquids, feces, rotting fruit, spilled food - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Common Green Darner](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-green-darner) (*Anax junius*) — Dragonflies are expert aerial predators of many flying insects. - **Parasitizes:** Parasitic wasp (*Spalangia cameroni*) — Tiny wasps lay their eggs inside housefly pupae. - **Eaten by:** Wall spider (*Oecobius annulipes*) — Many spiders build webs to catch houseflies. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Scavenger](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/scavenger): Scavengers consume dead organic matter, helping to decompose carcasses and other waste in the ecosystem. - [Web Builder](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/web-builder): This trait characterizes organisms that construct elaborate silken webs for catching prey, shelter, or reproduction. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Housefly? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Housefly's wingspan? 13-15 mm ### How big is Housefly? 6-7 mm ### How long does Housefly live? 15-30 days ### How fast can Housefly fly? 8 km/h ### What does Housefly eat? They love to slurp up sugary liquids and decaying stuff! ### Where is Housefly usually found? Homes, farms, and gardens ### How does Housefly hunt? Foraging ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Housefly: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/housefly)