Little House Fly
Fannia canicularis
This record describes Fannia canicularis (species). Recorded family: Fanniidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
May be a nuisance up to two miles from the breeding site. Males often seek shade indoors, where they may hover in rooms for long periods.
Wikipedia reference for Fannia canicularis: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lesser_house_fly.
Classification
Diet and Behavior
Life History
4 weeks or less; females lay eggs in animal/human excrement and decaying organic matter, including dead insects and animals
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Fannia canicularis (Linnaeus 1761)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Fannia canicularis. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Diptera includes over 150,000 described species of flies, mosquitoes, and midges. Mosquitoes are the deadliest animal on Earth (CDC). Malaria alone causes ~249 million cases and over 608,000 deaths annually, mostly children under 5 (WHO). Vector-borne diseases account for over 17% of all infectious diseases, causing 700,000+ deaths per year.
Ecological role of the group
Despite their disease impact, flies are critical decomposers and pollinators. Hoverflies alone pollinate hundreds of crop and wildflower species. Flies are also the primary food source for many birds, bats, and fish. Forensic entomology relies heavily on fly species for crime scene analysis.
Economic and practical significance of the group
In the U.S., vector-borne disease cases tripled between 2004-2016, with over 640,000 cases reported in that period (CDC). Tickborne diseases doubled from 22,000 to 48,000 annual reports. Globally, mosquito-borne diseases cost billions in healthcare and lost productivity.
Recorded sources for this group: WHO, CDC, PNAS. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Little House Fly (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ken Schneider; Additional contributions by v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Little House Fly
What is Little House Fly?
Little House Fly (Fannia canicularis) is a species in the family Fanniidae, within the order Diptera.
How big is Little House Fly?
5–6 mm
What is the life cycle of a Little House Fly?
4 weeks or less; females lay eggs in animal/human excrement and decaying organic matter, including dead insects and animals