How Do Flies Rake Their Young?
WouterFlies raise their young in a unique way. Female flies lay eggs on food waste, carrion, and feces. The eggs are about 0.05 inches long, white, and hatch within eight to twenty hours. The young live for about three weeks. Flies lay their eggs in groups of around 150.
During the pupa stage, the larvae develop wings, antennae, and legs. The adult flies are normally dormant and do not feed. In the pupa stage, they develop a cocoon-like shell and wings. Afterward, they pass out of the pupa.
Adult flies live for about fifteen to twenty-five days. They can survive for two to three days without food, but their lifespan increases if they have a diet of appropriate foods. They can also live longer in cooler temperatures. Adult flies also require food before copulating. This process can take two to fifteen minutes. During this time, female flies produce eggs. Female flies lay their eggs on decaying organic matter. They are able to produce up to five hundred eggs in their lifetime.
Once they hatch, adult fruit flies may emerge from their pupae in about seven days. During the winter months, their pupae may remain for several months. They then search for food and shelter. Their numbers usually increase in spring and summer. When temperatures are warm, fruit flies are more active.
