How Do Flies Help Us?
WouterFlies help us in many ways, but there are some interesting facts you might not know. For example, many species of flies feed as larvae, which means that they eat the plant and fungi that grow on them. They also lay their eggs in plant parts and produce chemicals that turn those plants into galls, which protect the larvae and provide them with food. Other flies filter microscopic food particles from freshwater. And one major group of flies is parasitic, which means that they feed on vertebrates.
While most species of flies have no teeth and cannot chew solid food, some species are strictly liquid eaters, consuming only carbon dioxide and water. Their mouthparts are shaped like spongy straws and are designed to liquefy food. Some flies can ingest a large amount of food at once and regurgitate it into vomit bubbles.
Flies can be found in all kinds of habitats. In fact, they are widespread throughout the world. The best places to observe their activity are in a damp, moist environment. The larvae are worm-like with no jointed legs, and they go through several stages before transforming into a pupa.
Although flies are often associated with dirt and disease, they actually play an important role in many ecosystems. In fact, the International Year of the Fly will celebrate their contribution to the environment. Understanding the role of flies in the environment is vital to our health.
