Subject: House Fly, Musca autumnalis, Family Muscidae

Location: Upshur County, West Virginia

Stock Number: 06-25845

Comment: Flies in this genus reproduces themselves with relentless efficiency. The entire life cycle from egg to adult may occupy only seven or eight days. Females lay up to 500 eggs per cycle, up to ten cycles in each summer.

Musca autumnalis is similar to the well-known Musca domestica. One difference is that the frontal orbits are wider on M. autumnalis. The fly pictured here is a female (eyes substantially separated from each other).