The housefly (Musca domestica) can quickly cause problems in a household – not because of its life expectancy, but because of its ability to reproduce quickly. During its short existence, the female housefly can lay up to six batches of eggs with each batch containing as many as 500 eggs. Most houseflies live less than two months but during that time a single mating pair can generate up to 3,000 new flies.
Life Cycle of a Housefly
While some houseflies can live up to two months, their average life expectancy is between 15 and 30 days. Unfortunately, living in the warmth and having access to food as these insects do in a home extends their longevity. Because they do not live long, they complete their life cycle quickly. Eggs can hatch in less than 24 hours and newborns tend to complete both the larval and pupal stages of development in less than 10 days.
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Amy Jorgensen has ghostwritten more than 100 articles and books on raising and training animals. She is also an amateur dog trainer. She has also written more than 200 blog posts, articles, and ebooks on wedding and party planning on behalf of professionals in the field.
