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Pesky Houseflies Trivia Quiz

We've all encountered houseflies in our lives, and probably had swatted them away. But, how much do you exactly know about this common pest?

A multiple-choice quiz by dijonmustard. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
dijonmustard

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
259,902

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
1387

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. How many wings does the common housefly have? Hint

four

eight

six

two

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which of the following would be the most suitable for housefly eggs? Hint

a dead raccoon on the side of the road

two scoops of ice cream

a recycled pile of newspapers

burned down house

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Question 3 of 10

3. During the larval stage, the flies must go through a series of sheds, in order to reach the pupal stage. What are these metamorphic processes called? Hint

instars

intermediate metatransformation

skin shedding

castings

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Question 4 of 10

4. Flies go through incomplete metamorphosis.

True

False

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which of the following insects parasitize a housefly's pupae? Hint

moths

bees

wasps

cicidas

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Question 6 of 10

6. What form does the food have to be before a housefly can eat it? Hint

warm

dry

solid

liquid

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Question 7 of 10

7. Female houseflies are generally larger than males.

True

False

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Question 8 of 10

8. The housefly has taste receptors on its legs.

True

False

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Question 9 of 10

9. What is the scientific name of the common housefly? Hint

Musca domestica

Brachydiplax denticauda

Stomoxys calcitrans

Sikhotealinia zhiltzovae

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Question 10 of 10

10. Houseflies tend to live longer in which environments? Hint

cold

moist

warm

dry

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. How many wings does the common housefly have?

Answer: two

At adulthood, the housefly has two wings. This is why the housefly has been placed under the order: "Diptera" meaning "two wings". The fly's halteres were once their second pair of wings, but evolution reduced them to just stubs that aid in balancing during flight.

2. Which of the following would be the most suitable for housefly eggs?

Answer: a dead raccoon on the side of the road

The eggs will only hatch in a moist and warm environment. Once hatched, they require something to live in and to feed off of. The decayed raccoon is the best choice. Newspapers and a burned house won't provide the best of nourishment for the houseflies, and ice cream would be cold.

3. During the larval stage, the flies must go through a series of sheds, in order to reach the pupal stage. What are these metamorphic processes called?

Answer: instars

Believe it or not, the proper term is "instar". The housefly larvae must go through three of these before reaching the pupal stage. The other terms, although may be real, are not proper terms and were just made up.

4. Flies go through incomplete metamorphosis.

Answer: False

The difference between complete and incomplete metamorphosis is the pupal stage. Complete metamorphosis has a pupal stage, while incomplete metamorphosis just goes to adult form. Flies do have a pupal stage.

5. Which of the following insects parasitize a housefly's pupae?

Answer: wasps

In addition to housefly pupae, some species of wasps also parasitize other insects. They parasitize the housefly pupae by laying eggs in the pupae; however, they do not kill the host, but may sometimes paralyze them.

6. What form does the food have to be before a housefly can eat it?

Answer: liquid

Houseflies can only eat foods in liquid form. They spit saliva on solid foods to break it down so they can later suck it back in with their proboscises. Sometimes they even vomit out food and eat it again. Talk about losing your appetite.

7. Female houseflies are generally larger than males.

Answer: true

On average, a housefly is about 6 to 7 mm long. The females can also be distinguished by a wide space between the eyes. In addition, males usually have yellow undersides, when females can have gray.

8. The housefly has taste receptors on its legs.

Answer: true

Flies are constantly preening themselves. They rub their front legs together in order to clean them from dust because they have taste receptors located on them. Keeping them clean will keep the receptors working properly.

9. What is the scientific name of the common housefly?

Answer: Musca domestica

Stomoxys calcitrans are stable flies, Brachydiplax denticauda are a species of dragonfly, and Sikhotealinia zhiltzovae are a species of beetle. Houseflies are in the species of "domestica" because they have evolved among humans.

10. Houseflies tend to live longer in which environments?

Answer: cold

In colder environments, houseflies can live to about two months instead of the usual 20 to 25 days. The colder weather slows down their metabolism and flies are less active.

Source: Author dijonmustard

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor crisw before going online.
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