Stable Fly
ExploreInsects
Stable Fly
Stomoxys calcitrans
Stable flies are pesky little insects that look like house flies but have a painful bite! They love to hang around farms and grassy areas, especially where animals are.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Stable Fly is a medium-sized, grayish-brown fly with four dark stripes on its thorax and a distinct checkerboard pattern on its abdomen. It has a stiff, bayonet-like proboscis that juts forward, making it visually different from the similar-looking house fly.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderDipteraFamilyMuscidaeGenusStomoxys
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
2
Interesting facts
Both male and female stable flies must drink blood to survive and lay eggs!
Stable flies are strong flyers, able to travel miles to find a meal.
Their bites can be quite painful, much more than a mosquito's nip!
They like to bite animals on their legs and bellies, even humans!
Special abilities
Ability
Piercing Proboscis
Stable Fly can pierce tough animal skin because it has a sharp, needle-like mouthpart that helps them drink blood.
Ability
Agile Aerialist
Stable Fly can dodge predators with swift, erratic flight patterns, making it very hard for birds to catch them.
Ability
Rapid Reproduction
Stable Fly can multiply quickly because females lay hundreds of eggs that hatch in days, ensuring many new flies.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 10-14 mm
- Size
- 5-7 mm
- Lifespan
- 10-20 days
- Flight Speed
- 8 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
These flies drink blood from warm-blooded animals, needing it to live and lay eggs.
Age differences: Larvae eat decaying plant matter, but adults feed exclusively on blood.
Primary Foods
- Cattle blood
- Horse blood
- Human blood
- Dog blood
- Bird blood
Foraging Method
- Pursuit
Ecological connections
Traits
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Speedster
This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.
Vampiric
Vampiric organisms are those that obtain nutrients by feeding on the blood or bodily fluids of other animals.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
If you see a stable fly, try not to swat at it. Move away gently to avoid getting bitten.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Stable Fly?
The easiest way to identify Stable Fly is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
What is Stable Fly's wingspan?
10-14 mm
How big is Stable Fly?
5-7 mm
How long does Stable Fly live?
10-20 days
How fast can Stable Fly fly?
8 km/h
What does Stable Fly eat?
These flies drink blood from warm-blooded animals, needing it to live and lay eggs.
Where is Stable Fly usually found?
Grasslands
How does Stable Fly hunt?
Pursuit
Snap Map
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