Flies are diverse insects in the order Diptera. While most people are familiar with the housefly, there are many other types of flies with distinct appearances and habits. Some feed on plants, some on decaying matter, and others even drink blood. In this article, you’ll discover 20 common and notable fly species and learn how to identify and understand their roles in the environment.
1. Cabbage Fly (Delia sp.)
Small fly measuring 7–9 mm, commonly found in Europe. It’s a serious pest of cabbage and turnip crops, often causing economic losses.
2. Housefly (Musca domestica)
Cosmopolitan and one of the most recognized fly species. It grows 8–10 mm long and is a known vector for diseases due to its habit of landing on waste and food.
3. Bee Fly (Bombylius major)
Resembling a bumblebee, it measures 1–1.5 cm, with yellow hairs. Adults feed on nectar while larvae parasitize beehives.
4. March Fly (Bibio marci)
Native to Europe, flies in swarms and emerges in late April. Feeds on grass roots and can damage crops. Known for their hairy black bodies.
5. Flesh Fly (Sarcophaga carnaria)
Widespread across Eurasia, this fly lays eggs in carrion. Larvae feed on decaying flesh and are important in forensic entomology.
6. Drain Fly (Clogmia albipunctata)
Also called moth fly, it’s small (3–5 mm) and hairy-winged with white dots. Found in damp areas like drains or tree holes.
7. Tsetse Fly (Glossina morsitans)
Found in parts of Africa and a carrier of trypanosomes, which cause sleeping sickness in humans and nagana in animals.
8. Apple Maggot Fly (Rhagoletis pomonella)
Native to North America and a pest of apple and other fruit trees. Larvae feed inside fruit, ruining entire harvests.
9. Yellow Dung Fly (Scatophaga stercoraria)
Widespread in the Northern Hemisphere. Lays eggs in animal dung where larvae feed. Adults stay near dung and hunt insects.
10. Fruit Fly (Drosophila melanogaster)
Tiny fly, only 3 mm long, often found around ripe fruit. Extensively used in genetics and biology research.
Other interesting types of flies include:
Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax)
Dance Fly (Empis tessellata)
Horse Louse Fly (Hippobosca equina)
Hoverfly (Episyrphus baleatus)
Lesser Housefly (Fannia canicularis)
Common Bluebottle (Calliphora vicina)
Green Bottle Fly (Lucilia sericata)
Bill Gates Fly (Eristalis gatesi)
Attic Fly (Pollenia rudis)
Yellow Assassin Fly (Laphria flava)
By understanding these fly species, we can better manage pests and appreciate the ecological diversity of this insect group.
