fly

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fly Any of a large order (Diptera) of two-winged insects. They range in size from midges, 1.6mm (0.06in) long, to robber flies more than 76mm (3in) in length. There are between 60,000 and 100,000 species worldwide. All flies undergo metamorphosis. A female lays between one and 250 eggs at a time. The larva (maggot) typically lives on rotting flesh or plants. Adult flies have compound eyes and sucking mouthparts. Many are pests and spread disease, for example the horsefly, mosquito, and tsetse fly. The common housefly is Musca domestica.

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