The house fly, Musca domestica, is one of the most common species of flies in the world.
As seen above, the fly has three body segments; the head, thorax, and abdomen. The body is covered in an exoskeleton which is a mix of epidermis (skin) and skeleton. This shield like external covering has three layers; the epicuticle, exocuticle, and endocuticle, which allow for the retention of water and protection against predators.
Attached to the thorax are six legs, which is a general characteristic for insects. These legs allow for walking, swimming, mating, and surviving. The walking patter, or "bug walk", is an adaption that enables the insect to balance itself and use the best of its abilities to survive.
The eyes of the fly are different in many ways. They are known as a compound eye that are formed from ommatidia. The image produced from this kind of sight, is known as a mosaic image. As humans see the whole picture, flies see small pixel-like images that make the whole picture one.
As seen above, the fly has three body segments; the head, thorax, and abdomen. The body is covered in an exoskeleton which is a mix of epidermis (skin) and skeleton. This shield like external covering has three layers; the epicuticle, exocuticle, and endocuticle, which allow for the retention of water and protection against predators.
Attached to the thorax are six legs, which is a general characteristic for insects. These legs allow for walking, swimming, mating, and surviving. The walking patter, or "bug walk", is an adaption that enables the insect to balance itself and use the best of its abilities to survive.
The eyes of the fly are different in many ways. They are known as a compound eye that are formed from ommatidia. The image produced from this kind of sight, is known as a mosaic image. As humans see the whole picture, flies see small pixel-like images that make the whole picture one.
One of the most important structures on the fly are the wings. Without them, the fly would live a different lifestyle completely, due to the fact that they would be unable to fly which is their main way of transportation. The house fly belongs to the order Diptera, which means it has two wings (one pair). Muscles in the thorax segment of the body allow the movement of the wings. Not to be looked down upon because of the size, wings have a vast amount of strength! But, all that strength requires a lot of energy. It has the highest energy demand of any known animal tissue.
The growth of an insect occurs through metamorphosis. This process allows for the insect to shed its exoskeleton and grow into an adult. The type of metamorphosis the house fly undergoes is know as holometabolous, or complete. This cycle starts at the egg which develops into a larvae, then a pupa, and finally an adult fly.
House flies lay their eggs (thousands) in poop, garbage, and other places that undesirable of most other species. Due to the location of their egg laying and the constant back and forth between feces and food, flies can be carriers to serious diseases.
The growth of an insect occurs through metamorphosis. This process allows for the insect to shed its exoskeleton and grow into an adult. The type of metamorphosis the house fly undergoes is know as holometabolous, or complete. This cycle starts at the egg which develops into a larvae, then a pupa, and finally an adult fly.
House flies lay their eggs (thousands) in poop, garbage, and other places that undesirable of most other species. Due to the location of their egg laying and the constant back and forth between feces and food, flies can be carriers to serious diseases.