How Long Do Flies Take to Hatch?
WouterThe time it takes for a fly to hatch depends on several factors. For example, the temperature and the amount of food available are important factors. Flies that live in a cool environment tend to live longer. It is not uncommon for a fly to spend two to three months as an adult. If the food is suitable, the fly may even live longer.
When a fly lays its eggs, it produces several generations. A typical female fly will lay between four and six batches of up to 100 eggs. The eggs take about 12 to 24 hours to hatch. The eggs are grey, about four to 7.5 millimeters long. Later, the larvae will develop into maggots, which look like tiny pale white worms.
The eggs are not visible to the naked eye, but a person can flush the eggs out with water. The fly larvae will then burrow into the body. However, they are small and difficult to detect. If the eggs were eaten by an adult fly, they would not harm the human being.
During the summer, the fruit fly larvae may emerge from their pupae within seven days. This is compared to several months during the winter, when the insect population is low. Once mature, a fruit fly may shelter in vegetation or land on a fruit. In general, fruit fly numbers increase in the spring and summer, when the temperature is warm and there is plenty of food for fruit fly larvae to thrive.
