House Fly
Adult House flies has the fourth wing vein sharply angled and four lengthwise dark stripes on the top of the thorax. It’s face has two velvety stripes that are silver above and gold below. Typically just a nuisance pest, they can also a vector of disease pathogens. They play a role in many of the major filth-borne disease outbreaks that include typhoid fever, cholera, dysentery and tuberculosis.
Fruit Fly
Fruit Flies are about 1/8” long with red eyes, the thorax is tan, and the abdomen is black on top and gray underneath. Eggs are laid near the surface of fermenting materials, such as fruit, dirty garbage containers, rotten vegetables or slime in the drains. Each adult female lays about 500 eggs in her lifetime.
Moth Fly
Moth flies, also known as drain flies or sewer flies, are found in homes on walls of the bathroom, kitchen or basement. The adults are about 1/16” long, with a light gray or tan body and light-colored wings. Both the body and wings are densely covered with long hairs that give the body a fuzzy appearance. Eggs are laid in irregular masses in dirty garbage containers, water traps in plumbing fixtures, built-in sinks and garbage disposal units and almost anywhere decomposing organic materials are found.
Crane Fly
Crane flies have long slender bodies, with long legs and one set of wings. They are weak fliers and they have to use two antennae like appendages attached to the body right behind the wings called halteres. The adults are about 1 1/2″ and tend to sit on walls or hang on things like plants, gutters, soffits, and are attracted to light. Some species prefer more aquatic habitats, while others are completely terrestrial.
Horse Fly
Horse flies are about 1 1/4” in length and are pests of domestic and wild animals, and occasionally of humans. Only females feed on blood and use scissor-like mouthparts to inflict painful bites. Males feed on nectar, honeydew or other liquids.
Cluster Fly
Cluster flies get their name from the habit of them forming compact clusters of hibernating individuals, usually in upper rooms, attics or window frames. Adult cluster flies are frequently mistaken for house flies, although they are somewhat larger and darker. They fold one wing over the other when at rest, unlike the house fly. The presence of several curly, yellow hairs on the sides of the thorax separate this species from any other fly.
