Typical Flies
What are they?
The group referred to here as typical flies are members of the Muscidae - a group of insects that most people would immediately recognize as a classic fly. They are very common - often abundant throughout the summer, with some species being found almost year-round, especially those that habitually occur in houses. Many are not directly harmful to humans, but others can inflict a bite and some (especially in tropical areas) can be vectors of diseases.
Identification
Members of this group typically have deltoid wings and a black, gray or metallic blue or green body. Many have dark reddish eyes with white surrounds and often have striped thoraxes.
Stable Fly Stomoxys calcitrans
A common species around livestock - from where it gets its English name - and widespread during the summer months. This species will bite humans as well as larger mammals, usually hovering low down and attacking the legs near the ankle. A rather gray species with well-striped thorax, otherwise very similar to the House Fly. Larvae feed in piles of wet, rotting vegetation.
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