The housefly (Musca domestica) is a common insect found worldwide, typically measuring 6-7 mm in length. It has a grayish body with four distinct dark stripes on its thorax and large reddish-brown compound eyes, which are adept at detecting movement. Houseflies possess transparent wings that allow for agile flight, and their mouthparts are sponging, enabling them to feed on liquids by regurgitating digestive enzymes onto solid food to liquefy it.

These flies are strongly attracted to decaying organic matter, food waste, and animal feces, making them prevalent in human habitats. Female houseflies can lay up to 500 eggs in moist environments, and the larvae (maggots) develop rapidly, often within a week.

Houseflies play a crucial ecological role as decomposers, helping to break down organic materials and recycle nutrients. However, they are also considered significant pests, capable of transmitting various diseases, including food poisoning and gastroenteritis, due to their propensity to carry pathogens on their bodies and in their feces. With an average lifespan of 15 to 30 days, houseflies can reproduce quickly, contributing to their status as a common nuisance in urban and rural settings alike.