How Do Flies Turn Into Maggots When They Die?
WouterThe first step in preventing maggot infestations is to eliminate the source of the food. Flies and their eggs are attracted to decomposing food and other filth, which makes it imperative to remove these sources. One way to do this is to make sure that no dead animals are present on your property.
When a fly dies, it undergoes a metamorphosis. Before they turn into maggots, they first go through a pupation stage, similar to a caterpillar. During this stage, the flies develop wings, legs, and a head. After ten days, they emerge as adult flies.
The next step in the fly’s life cycle is to lay their eggs on a recently deceased animal. The larvae will feed on the corpse for about one week, then pupate in the soil nearby. The fly larvae are beneficial to the ecosystem as they decompose dead animals.
Once the bodies start decomposing, bacteria will begin to produce gases, causing the cadaver to smell rotten. The smell will be so bad that other insects can detect the carcass from miles away. The larvae will then hatch into maggots, and the maggots will feed on the dead body’s flesh and food. Once they have hatched, the maggots will start to migrate, transferring their energy to the wider environment.
Generally, flies begin their life as eggs and then turn into maggots. Their eggs will hatch between eight and twenty hours after the adult fly lays them. The maggots are off white and half an inch long. They are similar to worms, with a thin head and a large mouth. Maggots will not have teeth or mandibles, and they breathe through spiracles.
