Discover in this article how flies reproduce, you will know their biological cycle, their metamorphosis, the different types of flies, how long they live and many of their qualities that you will not want to miss. Continue reading to find out.
Flies life cycle
These animals belong to the species of the Diptera order, which inhabit the entire planet, the most popular being domestic, fruit and vinegar, although there are more species. Its cycle comprises stages, starting with the egg, then it becomes a larva, then a pupa and finally an adult fly; that is, like many insects, they have a metamorphosis.
A curious fact is that until the XNUMXth century the belief was that these appeared when there was meat in poor condition, that is, they were formed from nothing, later the reality was demonstrated through studies by Francesco Redi.
types of flies
Before starting the reproduction of flies, it is essential to determine the different types of flies that exist, so that in this way all the information is much clearer at the end. Some types of flies are:
House fly:
Which is scientifically called Musca domestica L., which belongs to the Muscidae family, its stages within biology are mainly like the egg, then they become larvae, later they are called pupae and finally they are adults. In the case of the larvae, they molt twice, so three phases can be established in this state.
They frequent places where dirt or food remains prevail, which is where they acquire their own food.
Likewise, these phases will be more detailed in the following segments:
Egg:
The shape of this is elliptical, its color is whitish, its length is mostly one millimeter and its width is 0,26 millimeters. Through specialized examinations, the chorion shows hexagonal markings, even when it appears smooth to the naked eye. On the part of the back you can see curved longitudinal ridges, it should be noted that the division of the cells begins a little after oviposition.
The opening of this begins with an incision in a dorsal part of the egg, which expands until finally the larva appears, which emerges with its head first and gives way to the collapse of the orion.
Larva
This is formed by an external cuticle that is acellular, together with a single epithelial layer that is in the internal zone. That same cuticle is overflowing with the so-called epicuticle, in which a kind of stratification can be seen, its thickness can vary from 5um in its first thirty-six hours to 40um at the end.
The color of this is white, in the shape of a cylinder, wider on one side than on the other, it does not have eyes or appendages, but it has certain elements that allow locomotion. Their organs can be seen through the cuticle.
Pupa
At this point the larva contracts in its integument, so that the latter becomes a cylinder 6,3 millimeters long, this puparium is obtaining darker colors, since it is formed by the skin of the larva . The pseudocephalic part is completely removed, so that the processes prior to it are shown very close to the anterior puparium.
Then two dark tone spiracles appear in the part of the conjunctival membrane in the middle of the fifth and sixth parts, through the dorsal side, this being the only way through which the air enters.
Adult
When it reaches the adult stage it already reaches about six or seven millimeters in length, it has two wings and its body is divided into three, thorax, abdomen and head, these are gray. On the thorax there are four bands that are dark in color and are longitudinal, the rest of which is the same width as the back.
On the other hand, the abdomen has yellowish colors, but a black color can also be seen on the back. Its legs can be black or very dark brown, its wings are colorless, but they have a kind of veins.
Biological cycle
In general, this cycle can last a week or a maximum of ten days, especially when they are in temperate places, it is even said that each state or phase of this animal can vary according to the temperature to which it is subjected. But it should be noted that it is normal for the temperature of the larva that is decomposing and fermenting to be higher than that in the environment.
Metallic fly or Moscón:
This is another type of fly, which has an approximate size of 1,2 centimeters, its color varies from the previous one, since it has metallic colors, such as green and blue; the rest of the features are the same as detailed in the previous segment. The adult egg cycle ranges from two weeks to a month in length.
Their reproduction occurs when the female lays her eggs in the flesh of a dead person or animal, usually on matter that is decomposing. Its diet is the same as the previous fly, as well as its frequent places
Drain or latrine fly:
Its size is about 0,4 millimeters, its biological cycle goes from two to three weeks, the color of this type of fly is black, in addition, along its body it has long hairs, while the rest of the characteristics it preserves the same as the two already explained.
As for its reproduction, the female is responsible for depositing at least two hundred eggs in a place where there is decomposing organic matter, such as a septic tank, after fifteen days or a month, the adult flies appear. These can eat bacteria, fungi, algae; they can be seen in bathrooms, tables, dishes, food, drains and more.
Fruit fly or vinegar midge
It is a little smaller than the previous one, reaching about 0,3 millimeters in length; It has great capacities to contaminate food, since it is usually placed in them constantly, its color is brown with yellow areas, its cycle lasts from one to two weeks.
The reproduction of this type of fly occurs when the fly lays at least five hundred eggs in elements that are in free-mentation and after twelve days the new flies hatch. They can eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables that are in a state of decay or that are very wet.
Global vision
The Diptera order, to which it was already mentioned that these insects belong, means that they have two wings, which logically they use to start their movement in the air, after these members they have two structures that they use to maintain their balance when they are flying.
The so-called synanthropic flies that are in constant conjunction with the production of animals, integrate different families, such as the Syrphidae, the calliphooridae, the muscidae and the stratiomyidae. The most popular is the muscidade and they are the objective of fly control.
How do flies reproduce?
Reproduction occurs when they are already in the adult stage, at which time the male seeks courtship with the female, the way he does it is by means of a song, which he achieves by means of vibrations of his halteres, which is what we usually hear when you're flying, like a buzz.
Subsequently, the female sees if she likes that male, by means of the smell that he possesses, if she decides that she does not want to court him, she simply continues her flight, otherwise, if she believes that if he is the ideal, then she does not move, being that moment in which the male begins to copulate, which lasts approximately ten minutes.
How are flies born?
This is part of their life cycle, starting from the egg, their first phase, for this reason they fall within the classification of oviparous, however, it should be noted that there is a smaller number that are ovoviparous, this is due to that the eggs open while still inside the mother fly, later they come out when laying is carried out. The birth of oviparous flies will be explained in greater detail in the next segment, to avoid any doubt about it.
How are oviparous flies born?
After mating, the fly chooses a place to lay its eggs, which can vary according to each species, decomposing meat, food or others, which is why they can be seen sniffing in the garbage; in the case of the fruit fly, it does not look for garbage to lay its eggs, but instead goes to apples or figs, even other fruits.
Flies in general can lay thousands of eggs throughout their lives, in each laying at least five hundred eggs are laid. As larvae, they seek to feed in order to obtain a large size.
The metamorphosis of flies
Once they have fed enough, they begin to be covered by a capsule that can be brown, in this process it neither moves nor feeds, but what is called metamorphosis is taking place, this being the process by which this it becomes an adult fly, this is where its body begins in three parts already mentioned, head, thorax and abdomen, but not only this, but its wings and also its legs.
How long does a fly live?
Surely you are asking yourself this question, since like many you will want to know How to keep flies away, but it is not really a fact that can be answered with great precision, this can vary from one species to another and from the context in which it develops, however, in general, it stands out that they are one of the animals with the least hope of life they have, varying from fifteen to thirty days.
Other curiosities of flies
Like bees and butterflies, many of these animals can pollinate, that is, they move pollen from one flower to another. There are also some that are considered predators, feeding on other insects that are usually harmful to people.
Another curious fact is that they are the food of other animals, as you already know the frog is one of them, but there are also birds, fish and spiders that eat flies.