Muscid Flies

Family Muscidae

Face fly (Musca autumnalis). Photo:Stephanie Boucher

Most adults feed on decaying matter and they can be important vectors of diseases. The larvae are also found in decaying matter and dung. The house fly (Musca domestica) breeds in garbage and other decaying material and is a vector of several diseases such as typhoid fever and dysentery. Some species of muscids are predaceous on other insects. Muscidae are small to medium sized flies. They are slender to robust, and usually very hairy. The calypter at the base of each wing is well developed.