Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies

Volume 2, Issue 2

Role of housefly (Musca domestica, Diptera; Muscidae) as a disease vector; a review

Author(s): Waheed Iqbal, Muhammad Faheem Malik, Muhammad Kaleem Sarwar, Iqra Azam, Nadia Iram, Aqsad Rashda

Abstract: Housefly, Musca domestica, has a long history of association with animals, which still are suffering from its harmful impacts. It occupies human and livestock premises and acts as a source of nuisance and annoyance to them. The present bibliographical study explains role of House fly as a disease vector of humans and livestock. This article highlights various aspects of the life of the said pest that includes its general description-morphology, biology, life cycle, its pest status and major control strategies. The pest is cosmopolitan in nature and shows holometabolous metamorphosis as it passes through all stages of development like egg, larva, pupa and adult which takes 10 to 14 days for its completion. Its life span is between 15 to 30 days. With respect to control strategies of the said pest, it was reviewed that chemical control is the most common and efficient technique but dependence on insecticide for fly control is decreasing due to increased insecticide resistance and environmental constraints. Biological control with natural enemies also provides reasonable results for outdoor control. Indoors control is mainly dependent on light and odor baited traps. Therefore combinations of several methods for the control of House fly population like Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program is recommended for the effective and efficient results.

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