Lexi Webster
Australia is home to about 30,000 species of flies, some of which are unique to the country, such as the bush fly. Flies are among the most diverse animals on the planet and are crucial for the healthy functioning of ecosystems. They are also a nuisance to humans and can be carriers of diseases. Some common fly species in Australia include house flies, blowflies, mosquitoes, and march flies.
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What You'll Learn
- Mosquitoes: vectors for diseases like malaria, Ross River Virus, and dengue
- Blowflies: metallic blue or green in colour, they can cause flystrike in sheep
- House flies: cosmopolitan pests, carriers of disease, attracted to human food and faeces
- Bush flies: an iconic Australian fly, found countrywide, especially in the outback
- Horse flies: part of the same family as march flies, their bites can be painful and cause allergic reactions
Mosquitoes: vectors for diseases like malaria, Ross River Virus, and dengue
Australia is home to around 30,000 species of flies, including the iconic Bush fly (Musca vetustissima). While most people think of flies as a mere annoyance, some types of flies, such as mosquitoes, can pose a serious health risk. Mosquitoes are vectors for several diseases, including malaria, Ross River Virus, and dengue fever.
Malaria is a parasitic infection transmitted by Anopheline mosquitoes. It is a life-threatening disease that affects red blood cells and causes an estimated 608,000 deaths worldwide each year, mostly in children under five years old. Dengue fever, on the other hand, is a viral infection transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. It is the most prevalent mosquito-borne viral infection, with more than 3.9 billion people at risk in over 132 countries. Dengue causes an estimated 96 million symptomatic cases and 40,000 deaths annually.
In Australia, Ross River Virus (RRV), Barmah Forest Virus (BFV), and dengue fever are the three most common mosquito-borne illnesses. These diseases follow distinct seasonal patterns, typically peaking in January or February. RRV and BFV contribute the largest annual disease burden in Australia, while dengue fever is currently limited to the northeast corner of the country.
To prevent the spread of these diseases, it is essential to protect oneself from mosquito bites. This can be achieved through the use of topical repellents, wearing loose-fitting clothing when outdoors, and installing fly screens in homes. Additionally, it is crucial to keep the environment clean by regularly emptying bins and removing standing water, which can serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
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Blowflies: metallic blue or green in colour, they can cause flystrike in sheep
Blowflies, which are metallic blue or green in colour, are one of the many types of flies found in Australia. There are over 30,000 species of flies in Australia, out of almost a million species worldwide. Blowflies are larger than the common house fly, growing up to 10mm in length. They are associated with flystrike in sheep.
Blowflies are often seen hovering around dustbins, as they breed in meat-derived substances and sometimes cheese. They can also be found breeding in dead rodents or birds. The adult blowfly is 1/4" to 1/2" in length, with a metallic blue colour. The larvae are similar to house fly larvae, but larger, reaching 3/4" in length. The eggs hatch within 0-18 hours, and the larvae take 7-12 days to mature.
Flystrike, or myiasis, is a condition that occurs when blowflies lay their eggs on the skin of sheep. The eggs hatch into larvae, which then burrow into the sheep's skin and feed on its flesh. This can cause severe injury or even death. Flystrike most commonly affects sheep that are old, sick, or injured, as they are less able to move away from fly-infested areas. It can also occur when sheep are kept in crowded or unsanitary conditions.
To prevent flystrike, sheep farmers must take measures to control the fly population and protect their sheep. This may include using chemical treatments, such as insecticides or creating barriers, such as shearing sheep to prevent flies from landing on their wool. Good hygiene practices, such as regularly cleaning and disinfecting sheep pens and equipment, are also important.
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House flies: cosmopolitan pests, carriers of disease, attracted to human food and faeces
Australia is home to around 30,000 fly species. Flies are among the most diverse animals on the planet, and they play a crucial role in the healthy functioning of ecosystems. However, some species, such as house flies, are considered pests and pose a risk to human health.
House flies (Musca domestica) are a common pest species in Australia, infesting various premises, including homes and businesses. They are easily identified by their four dark longitudinal stripes on the thorax, or middle body region, and their four large, transparent wings with more vertical than horizontal veins. House flies are attracted to a variety of food sources, including human food, pet food, animal feed, food waste, and faeces. They feed on rotting produce, spoiled meats, trash, and other decaying organic matter, making them carriers of a wide range of bacteria and disease-causing organisms.
House flies transmit diseases by mechanically spreading pathogens. They constantly pick up germs from their diet and transfer them to surfaces or food where they land and feed. In addition, house flies often regurgitate and defecate on these surfaces, further contributing to the spread of bacteria. Researchers suspect that house flies can harbour at least 65 illnesses that infect people, including food poisoning, dysentery, cholera, typhoid fever, and diarrhoea. They may also transmit the eggs of parasitic worms.
To prevent and control house fly infestations, it is essential to understand their habits, seasonality, and lifecycle. Effective pest management of house flies involves four basic principles: sanitation, exclusion, non-chemical measures, and chemical methods. Sanitation is crucial, as flies cannot breed in large numbers if their food sources are limited. This includes keeping trash cans clean and covered, disposing of organic waste properly, and maintaining overall cleanliness. Exclusion involves ensuring that doors and windows are closed and that screens are intact and tight-fitting to prevent flies from entering premises. Non-chemical measures include the use of fly traps and insecticides, while chemical methods, such as pesticides and space sprays, should be a last resort due to their potential health risks and environmental impact.
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Bush flies: an iconic Australian fly, found countrywide, especially in the outback
Australia is home to around 30,000 species of flies, and the Bush Fly (Musca vetustissima) is an iconic species found across the country, particularly in the Outback. They are small, persistent, and closely related to the bazaar fly (M. sorbens). Bush flies breed in large numbers in dung pads, and their larvae have been found in the faeces of large mammals. They are attracted to large mammals, including humans, for fluid and nourishment, and can be a nuisance when trying to enjoy a meal outdoors. They are also known to spread harmful bacteria and pathogens, such as Salmonella and Shigella, although they are not considered a serious health threat.
The Australian Bush Fly is commonly found in both urban and rural areas, and their presence is especially noticeable during the warmer months of the year. They are so persistent in their pursuit of fluid that they have inspired the "Aussie salute", a characteristic gesture of waving flies away from the face. While they can be a nuisance, they are not considered a serious health risk, unlike other fly species such as mosquitoes, which are known vectors of diseases such as Malaria, Ross River Virus, Zika, and Dengue.
The survival rate of Bush Fly eggs and larvae is relatively low due to infrequent rainfall and the presence of parasites and predators. They do not thrive in cold temperatures, and their population in the southern and central parts of Australia decreases or is heavily reduced during winter. However, they can appear in unpredictable swarms, making it challenging to determine their locations.
To deter Bush Flies, individuals can use topical repellents containing DEET or Picaridin and wear loose-fitting clothing when outdoors. Installing fly screens in homes and regularly checking for holes can also help keep the flies out. Additionally, it is important to keep food covered and empty bins regularly, as flies are attracted to unprotected food and waste.
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Horse flies: part of the same family as march flies, their bites can be painful and cause allergic reactions
There are over 30,000 species of flies in Australia, with March flies and Horse flies being part of the same family. These flies are found throughout Australia and are usually present all year round, with strong seasonal spikes in abundance, particularly during the wet season in northern Australia.
March flies live around freshwater creeks, intertidal estuaries, and mangroves. They are ferocious biters, with only the female flies biting as they need blood to produce the next generation. Their bites are very painful and can lead to several issues such as dermal nodules, secondary myiasis, anaemia, and weight and milk production loss. They have strong, piercing mouthparts that they use to extract blood from their mammal hosts. March flies are dark-colored with striped chests, black underparts, and large compound eyes. They are found in rural farmlands, where they have access to large mammals.
Horse flies, also known as greenheads, are part of the Tabanidae family. They breed near water bodies and feed on the blood of large mammals such as cattle, horses, and dogs. The female horse flies require a substantial amount of blood for reproduction and can consume up to 200 mg of blood within a few minutes. Their bites can be deep and prone to infection, and they inject saliva that acts as an anti-clotting agent.
Both March flies and Horse flies can be controlled and removed by pest control companies.
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Frequently asked questions
There are about 30,000 species of flies in Australia.
Bush flies, house flies, blowflies, and march flies are some of the most common types of flies in Australia.
The golden bluebottle (Chrysomya incisuralis) is a species of Australian blowfly known for its metallic blue and green colours.
The tachinid, or adult tachinids, are important pollinators and play a role in controlling other insect populations.
Yes, mosquitoes are a type of fly that is common in Australia during the summer.
