(Musca domestica)
Biology:
The large housefly has a size of 7-8 mm. It is dark grey to black in color. Musca domestica has four dark longitudinal stripes on the middle section of the body, the so-called thorax. The base of the abdomen is yellow. The fly has stamp-shaped, licking-sucking mouthparts, which are used for touching and feeding. In one year, 6-9 generations can be produced. A female lays up to 2000 eggs mainly in manure, feces, compost heaps and garbage dumps, but also in other substances such as meat.
Damage:
Direct damage occurs through the development of fly maggots on food, especially meat, fish and cheese. Flies cause indirect damage to food by acting as carriers of pathogens (e.g. the pathogens that cause bacterial dysentery, abdominal and paratyphoid fever or amoebic dysentery; tapeworm eggs can also be spread). The pathogens ingested in waste, which are often dangerous for humans and pets, are transmitted via saliva, but also via the feet and body.
After all, adult flies can significantly impair the well-being of humans, pets and livestock as pests. Milk and fattening yields drop significantly in the event of massive fly infestation.
