This fly is approximately 1/2 inch (13 mm) in length and is a gray color overall. The thorax is striped with black and has black, spiky hairs. The abdomen has wide, brown bands and black bristles. The eyes are dark red and touching on the males, separated on females. The wings are clear with brown veins. The legs are gray. This family is separated from other similar fly families (flesh flies and tachinids) by wing venation. The female (photo 2) is a different species in the Muscidae family than the male (photo 1). These flies were identified to family by a volunteer expert at BugGuide.
This family of flies is very common, and can be seen from early spring through fall.
There are over 600 species in the House Fly family in North America, and they are usually found in association with humans. Each female can lay up to 500 eggs in several batches over a 3 – 4 day period. The adults live up to 15 – 25 days and are mostly diurnal. The larvae occur in dung, carrion, soil, nests and decaying vegetation. This species overwinters in either the larval or pupal stage under manure piles or other protected sites. The house fly is the best known species in this family.
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