What is the life cycle house fly and in drawing?

Answer 1

There are four distinct stages in the life of a fly: egg, larva or maggot, pupa and

adult (Fig. 6.2). Depending on the temperature, it takes from 6 to 42 days for the

egg to develop into the adult fly. The length of life is usually 2--3 weeks but in

cooler conditions it may be as long as three months.

Eggs are usually laid in masses on organic material such as manure and

garbage. Hatching occurs within a few hours. The young larvae burrow into the

breeding material; they must obtain oxygen from the atmosphere and can, therefore, survive only where sufficient fresh air is available. When the breeding medium is very wet they can live on its surface only, whereas in drier materials they

may penetrate to a depth of several centimetres.

The larvae of most species are slender, white, legless maggots that develop

rapidly, passing through three instars. The time required for development varies

from a minimum of three days to several weeks, depending on the species as well

as the temperature and type and quantity of food available. After the feeding stage

is completed the larvae migrate to a drier place and burrow into the soil or hide

under objects offering protection. They form a capsule-like case, the puparium,

within which the transformation from larva to adult takes place. This usually takes

2--10 days, at the end of which the fly pushes open the top of the case and works

its way out and up to the surface. Soon after emergence the fly spreads its wings

and the body dries and hardens. The adult fly is grey, 6--9mm long and has four

dark stripes running lengthwise on the back. A few days elapse before the adult is

capable of reproduction. Under natural conditions an adult female rarely lays eggs

more than five times, and seldom lays more than 120--130 eggs on each occasion.