Classification:

• Phylum- Arthropoda
• Class- Insecta
• Order- Diptera
• Genus- Musca

Comments:

1. 1. The common housefly, Musca domestica is of worldwide distribution, abundantly found around human habitation and filthy and dirty spaces.
2. 2. It is diurnal. It feeds upon human debris and other decaying organic matter.
3. 3. Body is oval shaped and 6-8 mm in length. It is distinctly segmented into
4. head, thorax and abdomen.
5. 4. Head is small and semicircular. It bears two large compound eyes, two
6. antennae and 3 ocelli.
7. 5. Mouthparts are sponging type adapted to only suck liquid food and not to
8. pierce tissue.
9. 6. Thorax bears a pair of strong, membranous wings dorsally and three pairs of jointed legs ventrally.
10. 7. Hindwings are greatly reduced to drumstick shaped halteres.
11. 8. Legs consist of coxa, trochanter, femur, tibia and tarsus, terminating in curved claws. They are thickly covered by hairs.
12. 9. Abdomen is covered with fine hair and comprises 8 segments is males and 9 in females.
13. 10. Last 4 segments form genital pouch and other reproductive organs in males. In females it forms the ovipositor.
14. 11. Sexes are separate. Female is slightly bigger than male.

Source:

1. Practical Zoology Invertebrates by S.S.Lal. 2. A Manual of Practical Zoology Chordates by Dr. P.S. Verma.