How Long Do Flies Live Without Wings?

The average adult fly lives 15 to 25 days, but some can survive for as long as two months. A suitable diet can extend their lives. Flies also survive well in cool temperatures, so they tend to live longer in those conditions. The first stage of the fly’s life cycle is the egg stage. Female flies lay eggs on decaying organic matter in warm, moist spaces. Female flies can lay between 75 and 150 eggs at a time.

After developing the wingless stage, flies hatch from their egg. Their eggs are white and 0.05 inches long and hatch after about eight to 20 hours. Once they have hatched, they develop their adult features and look for a mate. The pupal stage takes two to six days at a temperature of 32 to 37 degrees Celsius, and seven to 10 days at 14 degrees Celsius. After the pupa phase, the emerging fly emerges from its pupal casing by breaking the pupal sac using the ptilinum (the wingless part of the body).

Adult flies have a relatively short lifespan compared to their wingless counterparts. Male flies have a lifespan of around 15 days, and females last about 25 days. However, their lifespan can increase if the temperature is cooler. In addition, flies can live for as long as two months if not killed prematurely.

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