Muscidae
Pronunciation: [MUSS·si⋅dae]
Common Name: House Flies; Stable Flies
Description: Muscids are usually gray or black in color. Most feed on liquids by lapping them up with their spongy mouthparts, but there are a few blood-suckers and predators in the family. Larvae feed mainly on dung and decaying matter. Many are pests of livestock and vectors of disease.
Spot ID Key Characters:
- Arista of antenna is plumose along entire length
- Thorax lightly striped
- Gray or black body color
- Hypopleuron without bristles
- More than one sternopleural bristle
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Order: Diptera
