Housefly

insects · common household pest · flying

Tiny hitchhikers. Houseflies probably started in the Middle East and traveled around the whole world by hitching rides with humans and their food supplies. They've become so good at living near people that they're now found almost everywhere humans live.

Spotting the difference. Male and female houseflies look pretty similar, but if you look closely, the females are slightly bigger and have eyes set farther apart than the males. Both have those distinctive big, gleaming red compound eyes.

Four racing stripes. Houseflies have four dark lines running down their gray or black backs on their thorax, the middle section of their body. These stripes make them recognizable even when they're zooming around your kitchen.

One pair of wings. Unlike some other insects with two pairs of wings, houseflies have only one pair of membranous wings for flying. Their slightly hairy bodies help protect them and keep them warmer.