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Cluster Fly
(Extension, Purdue University) |
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Common Name: Cluster Fly
Order: Diptera Family: Calliphoridae Pest Status: Cluster flies can become nuisance pests in homes when they seek out sheltered places to pass the winter. Appearance: Adults resemble house flies, but are slightly larger (5/16-inch long), narrower, and non-metallic gray. The thorax is without distinct stripes and contains yellow-golden hairs. The abdomen is hairy with light and dark patches of color. Life Cycle: Females lay their eggs in the soil. Eggs hatch in three days and the larvae feed on earthworms for three weeks before pupating for two weeks. There are approximately four generations during the summer. Cluster flies overwinter as adults. Where to Collect: Cluster flies sun themselves during the day on warm sides of buildings in late summer. As the sun goes down, the flies crawl into the buildings through cracks or small openings such as utility ports. They are easy to collect during the winter or early spring when they emerge inside buildings. |
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