Common House Fly vs Secondary Screwworm Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common House Fly | Secondary Screwworm Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Musca domestica | Cochliomyia macellaria |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Muscidae | Calliphoridae |
| Size | 6-9 mm | 8-12 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Farmland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Carrion Feeders |
| Regions | Worldwide | North America, South America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Common House Fly
One of the most widely distributed insects on Earth. Can taste with their feet, which have chemoreceptors. Capable of rapid reproduction with complete lifecycle in 7-10 days.
Did You Know?
House flies taste with their feet — they have over 100 taste receptors on each foot and can detect sugar just by landing on a surface.
Secondary Screwworm Fly
A blow fly that breeds in carrion and occasionally infests wounds in livestock. It is widely used in forensic studies in the Americas.
Did You Know?
Unlike the primary screwworm, it only feeds on dead tissue rather than living flesh.