Attic Fly Life Cycle

Life cycle of cluster flies.

Attic fly life cycle.

These eggs hatch within a few days after which larvae seek to enter the body cavities of earthworms. The life cycle of a fly begins with the egg. Gestation of a house fly. Over the course of three to six days the pupae develop legs and wings ultimately emerging as full grown house flies.

Life expectancy of house flies. Cluster flies develop as parasites inside the bodies of earthworms. She can lay an estimated five or six batches of eggs during her lifetime starting on average about 12 days after reaching full maturity. Cluster flies do not reproduce indoors and home owners bothered by these pests do not need to fear the flies are hatching from a dead animal or other unpleasant material within the attic or walls.

Within two to three days female house flies are capable of reproduction. The female house fly can lay anywhere from 75 to 150 eggs in a batch. These maggots are unsavory but harmless. The larvae infest the animal carcass for 5 10 days before they leave the carcass and wander in search of a dry place to pupate.

The cluster fly life cycle begins when a female lays her eggs in the soil in late summer or early fall. Most commonly they move from the ground to your attic for the winter when it gets cold. By instinct they seek shelter away from the elements such as in the fall when it gets cold. Thus the common name they have of attic flies.

Cluster fly larvae feed on earthworm hosts for several days at which time they molt and pupate in the soil.