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Flight Adaptations of a Housefly

The common housefly is found all over the world. They are gray in color and are usually viewed at pests. They are found flying about in households, sewers, garbage heaps or any place they can find moist decaying matter. Houseflies prepare these places because they only feed on liquid foods. They can only feed on solid foods by regurgitating saliva onto the food first. The common housefly is also a major disease carrier. The University of Rhode Island reports they can transmit 65 different diseases to humans. Of all these things, however, the flight adaptations of the common housefly might prove the most impressive.

Compound Eyes
- The common housefly has distinct compound eyes. The compound eyes are made up of hundreds of different lenses and give the housefly the uncanny ability to recognize many different perceptions of light and motion. If you ever try to swat a housefly and wonder how it can fly away so fast, it has a lot to do with the fly's compound eyes. The compound eyes also help the housefly in flight to avoid obstacles.
Tiny Hairs
- The housefly also houses tiny hairs all over its body. These tiny hairs help the housefly sense airflow when in flight or when something moves in its direction. As the air rushes along the body of the fly while in flight, the fly can sense disruptions to avoid an obstacle and sense the direction of wind to take the easy path in flight, thereby increasing speed.
Antenna
- The housefly also has a sophisticated antenna that not only helps in the search of food, but also aids the housefly in flight and sensing motion. The antenna can sense changes in the air around it, aiding the housefly in flight and to help it escape from predators.
The Flight of the Housefly
- With a combination of compound eyes with sophisticated remote sensing capabilities, a body covered in high sensitive hairs, and an antenna that measures air flow, the housefly has evolved some important adaptations that results in impressive flight capabilities. According to Florida State University, the common housefly can fly in bursts up to 15 miles per hour to escape danger and can beat their wings up to 1,000 times per minute. This is what creates the buzz you hear announcing the arrival of the housefly.

Insects & Science