1. Mating:
* Male flies attract females through a combination of visual cues (like wing vibrations) and chemical signals (pheromones).
* Once a female is attracted, the male will mount her and transfer sperm using a specialized structure called the aedeagus.
* The female can store the sperm for several weeks before using it to fertilize her eggs.
2. Egg Laying:
* Females lay their eggs in batches of 75 to 150, usually in dark, moist places.
* Common locations include:
* Organic matter: Garbage, manure, decaying food
* Soil: Especially around rotting plants
* Cracks and crevices: In buildings or other structures
* Eggs are typically white and oval-shaped, about 1 mm long.
3. Larval Stage (Maggots):
* Within 12-24 hours, eggs hatch into larvae, commonly called maggots.
* Maggots are white, legless, and worm-like.
* They feed on decaying organic matter, growing rapidly.
* This stage can last from 4 to 14 days, depending on environmental conditions.
4. Pupal Stage:
* Once the larva reaches its full size, it forms a hard, reddish-brown pupa.
* This stage can last from 4 to 10 days.
* Inside the pupa, the larva undergoes metamorphosis, transforming into an adult fly.
5. Adult Fly:
* Adult flies emerge from the pupa, ready to mate and start the cycle again.
* They typically live for 2 to 4 weeks, but some can live for several months in favorable conditions.
Houseflies can reproduce very rapidly:
* A single female can lay hundreds of eggs in her lifetime.
* The entire life cycle (egg to adult) can be completed in as little as 7 days under ideal conditions.
* This rapid reproductive rate is why houseflies can become a nuisance so quickly.
Key Points:
* Houseflies are sexually reproducing insects.
* They undergo complete metamorphosis: egg, larva, pupa, adult.
* Their reproductive rate is extremely high, contributing to their widespread prevalence.
