What type of life cycle do flies undergo?

Flies undergo a complete life cycle, which is characterized by four distinct stages: egg, larva (or maggot), pupa, and adult. This process is known as complete metamorphosis.

During the egg stage, typical fly eggs are laid in environments conducive to larval development, often in organic matter. Once the eggs hatch, they enter the larval stage, where they grow and feed. Following this, the larva enters the pupa stage, a transformative phase where the body undergoes significant changes. Finally, the adult fly emerges, fully formed and ready to reproduce, thus completing the life cycle.

This complete metamorphosis distinguishes flies from those with other types of life cycles, such as gradual or simple, where the transformations between stages are less dramatic and do not involve a pupal stage. Understanding this life cycle is essential in various fields, including pest management, as it helps in devising appropriate control measures at different stages of development.