Did you know that a housefly lives for only 14 days?

A housefly typically lives for about 14 days, though this lifespan can vary depending on factors such as temperature, food availability, and environment. Under ideal conditions, a housefly can live up to three weeks. The life cycle of a housefly begins with an egg, which hatches in about 8 to 20 hours. The larvae, or maggots, develop in decaying organic matter and grow over the course of 4 to 5 days.

After the larval stage, they pupate for around 3 to 6 days. Once the pupal stage is complete, the adult fly emerges. During their short life, female houseflies can lay up to 500 eggs, contributing to their rapid reproduction, which is often seen as a nuisance, especially during the warmer months. Their ability to reproduce quickly makes them a persistent pest.

The photo accompanying this article was created by Andrew Pym cc via flickr.com