Lesser House Fly

Fannia Canicularis

Appearance

Eggs are white, narrow, elongate and slightly flattened and are 2 mm long. The larva are about 1.5 mm long and white when newly hatched. Only the tips of its mouth hooks are black and they have many projections around the edges. When mature, the larva is 5 to 8 mm long with a light brown body and a black head. Pupa are slightly smaller than mature larvae, the pupae of lesser house flies develop inside their darkened, hardened skins.Adults are 4 mm - 6 mm in length with slender bodies. The thorax is grey with 3 faint black or brown stripes and a yellowish abdomen. The female abdomen is grey and oval shaped.

Lifecycle

Eggs incubate for 1.5 to 2 days before the larvae hatch which then feed and develop for 7 to 10 days. Within 9 to 14 days, a new generation of flies emerge. Adults may live for up to two months.

Habits

Larvae typically consume decaying organic matter and excrement. Adult flies feed on various liquids and are often attracted to aphid-infested plants by the presence of honeydew (a sweet, sticky aphid excretion). Ultra violet light is not as effective with the lesser house fly as it is with house flies. Adult flies have a hovering and jerky pattern of flight.