— 
ia 
INSECTS AND DISEASE 

Fig. 1. THE FILTH FLY (J/usca domestica) 
a. Auxiliary vein i; Antenne 
b. First longitudinal vein g- Transverse suture 
¢. Fourth longitudinal vein h. Squama 
d. Discal cell i. Abdomen 
e- Anal cell j- Tibia 
THE FILTH FLY 
Musca domestica 
More volumes have been written about this insect in the last 
twenty years than have been devoted to any other one insect (unless 
it be the honey-bee) since man became civilized enough to write 
about insects at all. 
This fly is commonly called the “‘house fly,”’ but that name has 
been justly criticized because it seems to imply a necessary domestic 
relation. We do not believe that this insect should be a /ouse fly in 
the future; and Dr. L. O. Howard of Washington, in view of its re- 
lation to disease, has suggested that is should be called the Typhoid 
Fly. This seems, on the other hand, to relate rather too closely 
a disease and an insect which are sometimes, but not universally, 
connected. Filth Fly is perhaps the best term and one that is un- 
doubtedly applicable. The fly breeds in filth, it resorts to filth, and 
it carries filth with it everywhere it goes. 
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