CHAPTER III 



THE LIFE AND HABITS OF DOMESTIC FLIES 



IN warm summer weather the larval metamorphosis of 

 the house-fly requires at least ten days ; and, as stated 

 before, this period may be prolonged by variations of 

 temperature. During the larval stages the fly-grubs and 

 pupas are much exposed to external influences, and the 

 maggots are more readily killed from the fly's point 

 of view this is its most dangerous age. 



But once the fly has passed through its difficult 

 youth, and when the imago, the winged insect, is safely 

 born, then each fly is king of his own country. He 

 knows no laws or conventions, he can go where he likes 

 and feed where he likes, and the females of the species 

 can do the same. The fly is ruled by one thing the 

 temperature. Otherwise, its life is one of almost un- 

 alloyed happiness. It is free to roam, to feed, to sleep, 

 and to perpetuate the species. The winged domestic 

 flies have enemies, it is true ; but these are uncommon 

 when we consider the numbers of flies that there are. 

 Hers is a giddy life while it lasts, but the winter comes 

 with death in its train ; and whatever the fly has to do 

 must be done quickly. The queen of the air is therefore 

 quick at her work, but she does it well. Nature has 

 arranged that she shall be born from the chrysalis fully 

 equipped for her dangerous traffic with life and death ; 

 and Nature has perfected the implements with which 



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