Fun with Flies

Diptera - Flies are cool

Fun with Flies

Flies are some of the most abundant creatures around. They can be collected with a net almost anywhere. Diptera are among the most advanced insects and have some of the most diverse life histories of any insects.

Rearing maggots can be a very rewarding experience. Though maggots are often considered...well maggots they can be some of the best pets. Some maggots like those of the blowfly can complete their life cycle in less than a week. While some Tabanid maggots can require two to three years.

Blowflies or Calliphorids can be collected by simply leaving out some meat in the backyard in some warm weather. These flies are excellent locators of decay and will track the scent down lay eggs and a day or two later and you have maggots.

If decaying meat is not as appealing Tipulid or cranefly maggots can be reared on decaying vegetation or algae. Tipulids are often collected from streams and creeks in the leaf packs. Bring home the leaf pack and keep it wet and your Tipulid will be just fine.

Often insects are collected for rearing to be placed in a collection or for the description of their life histories which can be just as rewarding. If you are rearing insects that are a nuisance (like blowflies) or a vector problem (like mosquitoes) it is probably best to kill your adults and add them to your collection rather than setting them free. Reared insects make great collection specimens.

This is a postmortem picture of my pet Tabanid. You can see the sharp mouth hooks that pierce into live prey inorder to consume it. These mouthparts are usually tucked within the larva's head unless it is striking prey or its handler. It has been postulated that the larvae posess a poison but it is not yet known. They can pack a good bite if handled carelessly.

This is another picture of an an adult female Tabanus punctifer. From it you see how the larval mouthparts become a great piercing proboscis for drinking blood. She will actually cut the skin creating a wound and then suck up the blood that oozes from it. This makes them among the most painful biters.