Insects That Make Cocoons
WouterWhen flies lay their eggs, they usually choose a place with decaying organic matter such as food waste or carrion. Their eggs are white and 0.05 inches long. They hatch within eight to twenty hours. When the time comes for adult flies to emerge, they develop wings, antennae, and legs.
The cocoon protects the larva from the elements and extreme temperature changes. This protective covering is often made of silk. The process of transformation in the chrysalis is called holometabolism, and for some species, this transformation can take several months. However, the insects that make cocoons must escape these protective cocoons in order to complete their transformation.
Adult flies typically live between two and three weeks, though some may live for two months. They are capable of surviving for two to three days without food. If they have access to food and cooler temperatures, they can live for much longer. Adult flies also need food in order to copulate. Female flies usually prefer areas with fecal matter and garbage as a breeding ground. At night, they are inactive and rest in tree branches, shrubs, and even outdoor wires.
Adult house flies are grey in color and have four black stripes on their thorax. They are about 1/8-1/4″ (4 to 7.5mm) long and have one pair of wings. Females have larger wings than males and do not have stingers or teeth.
