Question

What is the larval stage of a housefly?

Answer 1

Housefly:

1. The housefly, scientifically called Musca domestica, is found most abundantly in the human habitat.
2. Varying from 5-7mm in length, these species cause no harm to humans, except the fact that they are responsible for transmitting infectious diseases.

The larval stage of the housefly:

1. Houseflies undergo a complete metamorphosis, that is it involves 4 stages of development, egg, larva, pupa, and adult.
2. The larva of a housefly ranges from 2-3 mm in length and it does not possess structures of head and leg.
3. Its body is flattened anteriorly and thick in the posterior and covered with a thin cuticle-like membrane.
4. The mouth contains a pair of mandibles projected in front of the rim that helps in locomotion and tearing of food particles.
5. The larval stages are divided into the first, second, and third instar larva.

Maggots:

1. The larval stage of a housefly is called a maggot.
2. The third instar larva in the lifecycle of houseflies, metamorphoses to form maggots.
3. Maggots grow up to 15mm to 20mm.
4. It is the feeding stage of the fly,
5. These maggots pupate in a cold, dry location.
6. A pupal case is produced, and as it ages, it changes color from yellow to black. Pupae mature and emerge as adults in two to six days.