Flies Flashcards
Flies have only one pair of functional wings attached to the mesothorax and a pair of small, knob-like structures on the metathorax called
halteres
Thought to be remnants of the second pair of wings and do not function directly in flight, but are thought to assist flies with balance and orientation
halteres
Upon completion of feeding, many maggots have the habit of
wandering away from their breeding site
When breeding sites are hidden, what stage of development is most likely to be seen by a client or PMP?
prepupal - just prior to pupation but after the larva has grown to a mature size
When do prepupae begin the pupation process to emerge as adults?
once they find a suitable crevice to hide
_________ breeding sites can sometimes be far from where adults are found due to some flies who can fly more than a mile or more from their breeding site
Outdoor
Three flies found in drains or sewers?
Moth flies, phorid flies, and fungus gnats
Three flies found near rotting fruits and organic matter?
Phorid flies, Fruit flies, and soldier flies
Fly found in potting soil?
Fungus gnats
Four flies found in carrion?
Phorid flies, soldier flies, blow flies, and flesh flies
Six flies found outdoors?
Blow flies, flesh flies, house flies, crane flies, Moqsuitoes, Cluster flies
At the base of the flight wings of some flies, there are lobes or
calypters (also called squamae)
Two flies with piercing-sucking mouthparts?
Stable flies & mosquitoes
Flies with sponging mouthparts?
House flies
Fly larvae have what type of mouthparts?
chewing - cannot chew as adults
Two flies that have sponging mouthparts that are combined with a series of knife-like mouthparts?
Horse flies and deer flies
Bristles on the body of flies are called
chaetotaxy
The invasion of human tissue or organs by dipteran larvae is called
myiasis
Which fly can transmit at least 100 known pathogens?
Common house fly
Most well known flies that cause myiasis?
Bot flies and warble flies - occasionally lesser house flies
Common pests of kitchens and restaurants where doors open frequently?
House flies
Fourth wing vein curves sharply forwards toward the wing tip in which fly?
House fly (Musca domestica)
Look similar to house flies, but they are much smaller in the adult stage?
Lesser house flies
Most important insects for forensic entomolgists?
Blow flies aka bottle flies
Not uncommon indoor pests especially when an animal dies in an attic, crawl space, or other inaccessible area in a structure
Blow flies aka bottle flies
Large number of these flies indoors is almost certain evidence of a dead animal in the structure
Blow flies aka bottle flies
Mature larvae of these flies are headless
Blow flies aka bottle flies
Tip of the abdomen is commonly red or pink on these fies
Flesh flies
Strong fliers and may travel up to 70 miles from their breeding sites
Stable flies
Sensitive to wind and frequently aggregate along lake or ocean shorelines, where they take refuge in dunes and may even breed in decaying seaweed
Stable flies
Checkerboard abdomens and prominent proboscis that is capable of causing a painful bite
Stable flies
Occasionally invade structures in the fall, especially in northern states
Cluster flies
Short, golden-colored hairs on the thorax and irregular light and dark gray areas on the abdomen
Cluster flies
Typically slow-moving flies
Cluster flies
Adults of these flies lay their eggs in soil, where their larvae parasitize earthworms
Cluster flies
May form overwintering clusters in attics and walls
Cluster flies along with face flies
Filth flies that may be misidentified as fruit flies or other small flies
small dung flies
Adult flies are about 1 inch and may resemble wasps in appearance
Black soldier flies
Larvae grow to more than one inch in length and are dark-brown, flattened, and leathery in appearance
Black soldier flies
Also known as vinegar flies or pomace flies
fruit flies
Usually tan to brownish-yellow or black, and their eyes may be bright-red or dark
fruit flies
Larvae have two dark “hooks” on the head end
fruit flies
Especially common during warmer seasons, but can be found year-round in structures
fruit flies
Less attracted to fruits and are more likely to be associated with floor drains, dishwashers, urinals, and fecal material
dark-eyed fruit flies
Also known as drain flies, filter flies, or sewer flies
moth flies
Veins on the wings are parallel, and the wings are densely covered with hairs giving them a moth-like appearance
moth flies
Prefer to live in sewers, sump pumps, drains, and under cracked tiles where moisture is plentiful
drain flies
Females lay eggs on the scummy layers of film that are found in standing water and the larvae feed on fungi, algae, bacterial films, and other microorganisms
drain flies
Also known as humpbacked flies, coffin flies, scuttle flies, or mausoleum flies
phorid flies
Humpbacked profiles on these flies and found near drains, sewers, and decaying organic matter
phorid flies
Heavy infestations in buildings are commonly associated with underground sewage lines that are broken
phorid flies
Females most commonly lay their eggs in the over-watered soil of potted plants or atriums
fungus gnats
Ultimate goal of fly management of indoor flies
finding and eliminating larval breeding sites
Light traps should generally be placed _______ feet above the ground and at least _______ feet from exterior doors
4-6, 12-15
Sticky boards for fly management should be replaced
weekly or when 60% full
The color and hairiness of these are useful in identification
Squamae (calypters)
Wetter years tend to produce higher numbers of these flies due to their preference to breed in wet, rotting grass clippings, hay, straw, and other organic materials especially when combined with manure
Stable flies
