Buzz
“I’ve only got 24 hours of living, and I ain’t gonna waste ‘em here!” laments an exasperated housefly in a funny scene from Pixar’s A Bug’s Life. But is it really the case that these bothersome insects only have a lifespan of a single day?
The quick answer is no. Contrary to popular belief, the typical housefly (Musca domestica) in its adult stage can survive for several weeks before flying off to that grand sugar cube in the sky … provided it doesn’t fall victim to a swatter. Entomologists reveal that adult houseflies usually live for 15 to 25 days. Some even manage to last longer: A few have been known to live up to the remarkable age of two months!
Like many of their relatives, these insects experience a complex life cycle with various stages. To sum it up quickly, here’s a short visual guide (narrated for your convenience):
Here’s a quick breakdown: Female flies lay eggs that rapidly hatch into larvae (otherwise known as maggots). These wriggling little creatures grow bigger and bigger until they reach the “pupal” stage. At this point, they form hard outer shells (which should not be confused with cocoons, as they are entirely different structures). Inside these shells, they stay inactive while gradually developing adult features like legs and wings. Eventually, the fully-formed fly breaks free from its casing and sets out to find a mate.
How long does it take for all this to happen? Typically, the transformation from maggot to adult fly takes a brief 7 to 10 days. Now that’s living in the fast lane!
