Arthropods Daily – Issue No. 254

The housefly (Musca domestica) is a common insect with a wide distribution worldwide, found in populated areas across Europe, Asia, Africa, Australasia, and the Americas. Adult houseflies are 6 to 7 mm long, with females typically being larger than males. They have compound eyes, a retractable proboscis for a liquid diet, and chemoreceptors on their legs for tasting food. Houseflies are important in breaking down and recycling organic matter, although they can also be a nuisance and a health hazard due to their habits of contaminating food. They have predators and parasites, and are carriers of pathogens. However, housefly larvae can be used for converting waste into insect-based animal feed. Houseflies have cultural significance and have been used in traditional medicine and art.