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10 Interesting Facts About Flies You Never Knew

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There are more than 110,000 fly species in the world, and they can be found in a variety of habitats and habits. Flies come in many different shapes and sizes, and here are 10 interesting facts about flies you never knew.

Insects, in general, are often maligned and considered pests. However, flies play an important role in the ecology of nature. They are essential for the decomposition process of organic matter, and they also serve as food for other animals.

In addition to that, flies are a nuisance because they are attracted to food and garbage. However, you can learn how to keep them away by understanding why they’re a nuisance and what roles they play in nature. 

10 interesting facts about flies you never knew

Flies are interesting creatures with a lot of surprising facts about them. For example, did you know that fly larvae feed on manure? Or that they can live for up to two months without food? There are many other fascinating facts about flies, which you can learn by reading this article.

Flies multiply quickly

Flies reproduce at an incredibly fast rate. In fact, a female fly can lay up to 500 eggs in her lifetime. This means that a population of flies can quickly grow and become a problem.

10 interesting facts about flies you never knew

In a short period of time, flies can infest an area and lay eggs that will turn into more flies. This suggests that it is important to take action quickly if there is a fly infestation.

Flies Can Spread Disease

Flies can spread a variety of diseases and germs to humans, including typhoid fever, dysentery, and cholera. They are also known to carry other dangerous pathogens in their bodies.

Flies often feed on feces, garbage, decaying animals, and other filthy places, which increases their risk of spreading disease.

In addition, the disease transmission to people by these flies is very easy. This is because many fly species are known to land on feces and other unsanitary objects before landing on human food.

They can cause significant harm to humans if they come in contact with the diseases that they carry. This is why it is so noteworthy to keep your home and office clean and free of pests!

Flies can spread other diseases, are diarrhea, leprosy, anthrax, tuberculosis, yaws, and polio. 

Diet

Adult flies consume decaying organic matter to feed and harvest their larvae. Fruit, vegetables, meat, animal and plant secretions, and human feces are all examples. Male and female flies both drink nectar from flowers.

Flies on flower

In addition, flies can contaminate food with harmful bacteria, and their saliva and enzymes can damage food. For example, the feces of a fly can contain E. coli and Salmonella, which can cause food poisoning.

Flies taste with their feet.

Flies taste with their feet! Flies have a variety of sensors on their bodies that help them interact with the world around them. One such sensor is located on their feet, specifically, their tarsi. This sensor is used to taste food and determine whether it will be a tasty snack or not.

The sensors on their feet are sensitive to salt, sugar, and other chemicals in the food. When they find something they want (like a tasty sandwich), they tap their foot against the ground three times to let the others know where it is.

This sends a signal to its brain, which tells it to start sucking up blood from the wound so it can digest the food.

Flies clean their bodies.

Flies clean their bodies by rubbing their legs together. This helps them to get rid of any dirt or debris that may be on their body. They also use this technique to spread pheromones, which help them attract mates.

Flies Contribute to the Food Chain. 

Flies are an important part of the food chain. They lay eggs in rotting animal carcasses, which helps to break down the carcass and spread the nutrients it contains. This helps to recycle those nutrients back into the environment and supports the growth of other organisms.

Flies on rotten fruit

In addition, fly larvae feed on the decomposing animals and release nutrients into the soil through digestion. This helps to break down the carcasses and recycle the organic matter back into the environment.

Flies also play a role in pollination. So next time you’re out enjoying nature, remember that even pesky flies have their place in the world!

Flies Make Great Detectives

Flies have been used in forensic investigations for centuries to help estimate the time of death. They are attracted to decaying flesh and can help investigators determine when a person died by the number of flies present at the scene.

Different types of fly species are useful for detective work, depending on the type of crime scene.

For example, blowflies are attracted to open wounds and can often be found near dead bodies. They help forensic experts determine the time of death by analyzing the stage of decomposition.

You can study their movements and behavior to determine things. In fact, in one case, investigators were able to use blowflies to track a murder suspect’s movements over an 18-day period.

The appearance of a fly

Flies have a segmented body with a head, an abdomen, and a thorax. Their bodies are about 7 mm long, and they come in a variety of colors.

Interestingly enough, flies also have bristles all over their body and legs. Flies also have hairy legs, which help them cling to surfaces. This helps them collect particles from things they land on, giving them information about their surroundings.

Did you know that flies have a spongy mouth that can suck up food in a matter of milliseconds? 

Some fly species pollinate plants.

While many people think of bees when it comes to pollination, flies also play a role in this process. In fact, some fly species are actually more effective at pollinating plants than bees.

Flower flies

This is because they are very much attracted to the nectar of flowers and thus can visit them more often. As a result, they are able to transfer pollen from flower to flower more effectively.

Did you know that midges are the primary pollinators of the cacao tree, from which chocolate is made? In fact, a whopping 400 different types of flies are involved in pollination across the world.

The World’s Biggest Fly

The world’s biggest fly is the timber fly. This fly can grow up to 2 inches long and has a wingspan of 5 inches. It is found in North America and feeds on sap and other sweet liquids.

On the other hand, timber flies are quite harmless. They acquire their title from the fact that they lay their eggs in dying trees, and the hatched larvae will feed on the rotting wood. 

Do flies sleep?

Flies are not nocturnal animals and instead undergo a period of rest during the day. This is known by the name siesta These flies manage to be more involved during the morning and evening hours.

Flies have a sleep-like state that is called aestivation. This occurs during the hottest months of the year when flies will be less active and might appear more sluggish or quiet.

Are they dangerous?

Flies are dangerous because they can spread a variety of diseases. While they do not excrete every time they land, flies can defecate every four to five minutes. They can certainly do it to your food or you.

As a result, diseases such as E.coli and Salmonella spread easily. Flies can also contaminate food because they cling to a surface or position for an extended period of time. This is due to the sticky pads on their feet.

How to get rid of flies

Flies are the most common type of fly that invades homes. They can be a problem because they breed and spread diseases. There are several ways to get rid of them, but the best way is to prevent them from entering the first place.

There are numerous methods to get rid of flies, both inside and outside the home. The most obvious way is to control their population by getting rid of breeding grounds and using fly traps.

However, it’s also important to remove their food sources, as they are attracted to rotting meat, garbage, and other organic waste. Ultimately, you can utilize insecticides to kill the flies if all else fails.

Final Thoughts

Flies are from the order Diptera because they only have two wings. Although they are just two wings, they can fly up on all sides (up and down, side to side, backward, hover, and spin).

They are also known as good fliers. Similarly, flies also have certain capabilities, such as walking upside down.

About the author

A biotechnologist by profession and a passionate pest researcher. I have been one of those people who used to run away from cockroaches and rats due to their pesky features, but then we all get that turn in life when we have to face something.