House and Face flies - Musca spp

Question 1

What are the hosts of Musca spp of flies (House and Face flies)?

what is the distribution of these type of flies?

Answer 1

wide variety

worldwide distribution

Question 2

what are some morphologic characteristics of Musca fly (House and Face flies)?

Answer 2

• 5-8mm long
• pair of veined wings
• mouthparts adapted for “sponging”, and are obvious only during feeding

Question 3

How long is the lifecycle of Musca flies (House and Face flies)?

What do the eggs and pupae look like?

Answer 3

• 19-22 days at 20C
• 40-49 days at 16C
• creamy-white banana-shaped eggs are laid on decaying organic matter
• pupae - brown-red, cylindrical and rounded at both ends
• Eggs - L1 - L2 - L3 - pupae - adult

Question 4

What is the pathogenic significance of Musca flies (House and Face flies)?

Answer 4

• mechanical transmission of disease (feed on secretions from eyes, nose, mouth and sores so deposition here)
• IMH for helminths and nematodes - summer sores and tapes, eye worms
• IMH for bacteria - infectious bovine keratoconjuctivitis
• cause restlessness and worry