Page 54 - AG 7-2011 Revised 2016
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STABLE FLY House Fly
Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR
Maggots HOUSE FLY
EGGS LARVA
Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR
Larva Only 3 Maggots
1.Antenna-none 6.Thorax- cylindrical shape
2.Eyes- none 7.Petiole- none 8
3.Head- no head capsule 2 hooks for mouth 8.Abdomen- posterior has 2 spiracles
4.Legs- none 9.Color- various colors Drawing by Andrew Schaible
5.Wings- adult only 10.Other- most fly larvae are cylindrical
shape without legs or a true head
capsule
Life Cycle
The maggot is just the larval stage of the fly. One fly can lay 75-150 eggs at a
time, and the maggots emerge less than a day later, as fast as 8 hours in warm
weather. They remain in the larval stage anywhere from 3 days to eight weeks
depending upon the temperature. Maggots undergo three instars during that
period.
Maggots are simply the larval stage of flies--worm-like creatures without heads or appendages. They
eventually form a shell to pupate, and then emerge as the adult fly. They are a creamy white color,
and just as soon as they hatch they seek to begin feeding. Maggots will feed on just about anything
decaying--meat, feces, vegetables and fruit, and in large numbers on garbage. They can even infest
wounds. Sanitation is the best control.
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