Question

Housefly feeds on sugar by which of the following mechanism?

• A. Crushing its crystals and then sucking the powder
• B. Crushing and eating
• C. Sucking
• D. Dissolving in saliva and sucking

Answer 1

The correct option is D Dissolving in saliva and sucking

The housefly belongs to the family Diptera. The flies of this group have chemosensilla as receptors on the tarsi. These receptors help in sensing the presence of sugar or carbohydrates in liquid or dried form. After sensing the presence of food, the insects secrete viscous liquid as saliva. This saliva and the atmospheric water helps the sugar to get dissolved and get converted in the liquid form. The liquid is then soaked and sucked with the help of the mouth parts.

Thus, the correct answer is option D.