FLIES

FLIES BIOLOGY & LIFE CYCLE IN GENERAL

Flies are insects of the order Diptera (from the Greek di = two, and ptera = wings). Their most obvious distinction from other orders of insects is that a typical fly possesses a pair of flight wings on the mesothorax and a pair of halteres, derived from the hind wings, on the metathorax. Flies are adapted for aerial movement and typically have short and streamlined bodies. There are no species of fly has teeth or any other organ or limb that allows them to eat solid foods, flies consume only liquid food or finely granular foods, such as pollen, and their mouthparts and digestive tracts show various modifications for such diets. The female lays her eggs as close to the food source as possible, and development is rapid, allowing the larvae to consume as much food as possible in a short period of time before transforming into adults.

Here are the commonly found species in Malaysia

HOUSE FLY

It is the most common of all domestic flies in human habitations and indeed one of the most widely distributed insects, found all over the world. It is considered a pest that can carry serious diseases. House flies feed on liquid or semiliquid substances beside solid material which has been softened by saliva or vomit. Each female fly can lay approximately 9,000 eggs in a lifetime. Within a day, larvae (maggots) hatch from the eggs and their life cycle ranges from 14 hours to 36 hours.

BLOW FLY

Calliphoridae also commonly known as blow flies. Blow flies adults are commonly shiny with metallic colouring, often with blue, green, or black thoraces and abdomens. They breed in excrement, decaying vegetable matter and animal flesh or meat. Females of many species don't lay eggs but deposit tiny maggots directly onto fresh meat. Female blow fly typically lays 150–200 eggs per batch and laying around 2,000 eggs during the course of her life. Hatching from an egg to the first larval stage takes about eight hours to one day. Did you know that Maggot Debridement Therapy (MDT) is the medical use of selected, tested and disinfected fly larvae, including blow fly maggots, for cleaning non-healing wounds?

FLESH FLY

Flies in the family Sarcophagidae (from the Greek sarco- = flesh, phage = eating; the same roots as the word "sarcophagus") are commonly known as flesh flies. Adult flies do not bite but feed on a wide range of liquid substances. Eggs hatch within the body of the adult. Females of most species deposit 20 to 40 larvae directly onto the host or substrate

FRUIT FLY

Fruit flies are common in homes, restaurants, supermarkets and wherever else food is allowed to rot and ferment. Fruit flies are especially attracted to ripened fruits and vegetables in the kitchen. But they also will breed in drains, garbage disposals, empty bottles and cans. Adults are about 1/8 inch long and usually have red eyes. They will lay about 500 eggs. The entire lifecycle from egg to adult can be completed in about a week. Fruit flies are primarily nuisance pests, however they also have the potential to contaminate food with bacteria and other disease-producing organisms.

METHOD OF APPLICATION

RESIDUAL SPRAYING

FLY TRAP

Authorised Installer

Authorised Accreditor Applicator

Handyman