Thumbprints - Fly

   


Optical 1
Optical 2
Optical 3
Optical 4		          

Optical 5
Optical 6
Optical 7


Optical 8

    

SEM 1
SEM 2
Antennae

SEM 3
Antenna

SEM 4
Antenna

     

SEM 5
Eye
SEM 6
Eye
SEM 7
Eye
SEM 8
Eye 		     

SEM 9
Mouthpart

SEM 10
Leg
       


The housefly is a common insect of the family Muscidae (order Diptera). About 90 percent of all flies that live in human habitations are houseflies. Flies used to be a big hazard to public health in cities. Today they still are a problem wherever organic waste or garbage are allowed to accumulate.

The adult housefly's size is about 5 to 7mm (0.2 to 0.3 inch). The eye of a housefly consists of about 4000 facets. Because it has sponging or lapping mouthparts, the housefly cannot bite. It can walk on vertical walls or hang upside down on a ceiling because of a secretion produced by tiny glandular pads beneath each claw on the feet. Its surface-tension properties give the fly this special ability. Houseflies can carry microorganisms on their feet that, in large numbers, can cause disease.

S. Roth