I: head; II: thorax III: abdomen. — 1: prescutum; 2: anterior spiracle; 3: scutum; 4: basicosta; 5: calypters; 6: scutellum; 7: wing vein; 8: wing; 9: abdominal segment; 10: haltere; 11: posterior spiracle; 12: femur; 13: tibia; 14: spur; 15: tarsus; 16: propleuron; 17: prosternum; 18: mesopleuron; 19: mesosternum; 20: metapleuron; 21: metasternum; 22: compound eye; 23: arista; 24: antenna; 25: maxilary palps; 26: labium; 27: labellum; 28:pseudotracheae.
Why does the 'Anatomy of a Fly' top my natural world blog today?
Its a cooler morning in Florida; 80° F (27° C) and 89% humidity. My camera is sitting out on the porch adjusting to the humidity so I might capture a few more shots before diving in to work some more. We had a light rain yesterday that resulted in a total of .40". . . just enough to make the bugs happier. . . .and the house flies (Musca domestica) are incredible today. Huge swarms of the little pests blanket every surface outside. Very annoying creatures making it impossible for me to enjoy my morning coffee.
I've found that the house flies are much worse on the day after a little rain. The moisture assists their rapid life-cycle. After a couple of hot, dry days the remaining live flies have died off and no new ones have hatched. After a BIG rain there are next-to-zero flies. . .presumably they have drowned.
House flies are capable of carrying over 100 pathogens such as typhoid, cholera, salmonella, bacillary dysentery, tuberculosis, anthrax, ophthalmia, and parasitic worms. Some strains have evolved immunity to most common insecticides in part due to their rapid life-cycle. The common domestic house fly is sexually mature at 36 hours. Needless to say I spend a great deal of time attempting to eradicate these pests from the immediate proximity of the house.
Follow Phillip
on instagram
on facebook
on twitter
on YouTube
A good hosing down of the walkways and pathways around the house removes any residue of raccoons or feral cats from the overnight.
That we live amongst horses, raccoons and Florida black bears doesn't help the fly situation. I installed new doggie doors for our dogs so that the flaps snap back more quickly. That has eliminated some of the nuisance factor. . .but on walking outside this time of year, one has to be prepared to be bombarded by flies.
We're Following:
We've Read:
Trump's Crushing Defeat
There Will be no TrumpCare
We've Watched:
Best of Just Add Zebras
No comments:
Post a Comment