Flies are insects in the order Diptera, meaning “two-winged”. True flies have one pair of wings used for flying. Posterior to the wings is a pair of stalked knob-like structures (called halteres), which are organs of balance.
Flies undergo complete metamorphosis, i.e. the life cycle consists of the following stages: egg, larva (called a maggot), pupa, and adult. The synanthropic flies associated with confined livestock production include species in the families Muscidae, Calliphoridae, Stratiomyidae, and Syrphidae. Most important are the species in the family Muscidae which includes the common house fly Musca domestica (L.).
The house fly will be discussed in most detail since it is the major pest species and the primary target of fly control programs.
| 
