Why Do Flies Go Underground?

The first time you see a fly is when the larva is still in the egg stage. After a few days, it will hatch into a fully developed fly. Then it will begin its life cycle underground, in the soil. The larvae matures at around one-half inch long and enters the pupal stage in May. The pupa is a hard, oval structure similar to a cocoon used by moths. The adult fly emerges from the pupa in late summer.

Then the larvae will mate and produce eggs. The larvae may be found at the surface of the soil or beneath the soil. Some flies can survive in the soil for several generations before they surface. The phorid C. tibialis has been found to live at depths as great as 18 years post-mortem. Phorid species are also used for forensic entomology, which uses insect life cycles to estimate the age of a corpse. The first known example of this phenomenon dates back to 1954, when Charles Colyer made observation of the C. tibialis in a garden.

Most common flies are not able to survive freezing temperatures. They need food and shelter to survive. If you notice any of these flies in your home, you should look for a suitable shelter for them. Some types of flies go underground to find a warm place where they can breed.