INTRODUCTION. These flies receive the common name of house fly from being the most common fly found in and around homes, especially in the preautomobile era and in rural areas.  It is not only a nuisance pest but of greater concern is its potential as a carrier of disease organisms, having been found to harbor over 100 different pathogenic organisms.  It is worldwide in distribution, and is found throughout the United States.

RECOGNITION. Adults about 1/8-1/4in (4-7.5 mm) long, with female usually larger than male.  Color dull gray; face with 2 velvety stripes, each silver above and gold below; thorax with 4 narrow black longitudinal stripes on dorsum; no pale spot behind head or on scutellum (rear tip of thorax); abdomen usually with sides pale at least near base.  Mouthparts sponging.  Females with eyes much more widely separated than on male.  Wing with 4^th longitudinal vein sharply bent forward near tip, towards and almost meeting 3^rd vein at wing margin.

      Mature larva about 1/4-3/8in (7-10 mm) long, eyeless, legless, and tapering towards head from large rounded rear segment, head represented by 1 pair of dark hooks.  Color cream but with greasy appearance.  Posterior spiracles (breathing pores) slightly raised, spiracular area smooth, spiracular openings are sinuous/winding slits which are completely surrounded by an oval black ridge (peritreme) which has a dark donut-shaped structure (button) attached to its inner margin.

HABITS. Although house flies have been shown to migrate up to 20 miles, most stay within 102 miles/1.6-3.2 km (55-96% within 1 mile, 77-100% within 2 miles) of their release point or larval habitat if sufficient food is available.  Females seek almost any warm, moist material with sufficient food for larval development for egg-laying purposes.

     During the day, house flies tend to rest less than 5 feet (1.5 m) from the ground on walls, floors, and various objects.  At night they rest primarily above 5 feet (1.5 m) on ceilings, walls, electric wires, dangling light cords, edges/corners of buildings, plants, etc.  Their night resting places are usually near their daytime food sources.

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