Flies have varying lifespans depending on their species and environmental conditions:
- House flies typically live about 15 to 30 days, with some sources noting up to 25 or even 30 days under optimal conditions like warmth and abundant food. During this time, females can lay several batches of eggs, producing thousands of offspring in total
- Fruit flies usually have a shorter lifespan, living around 10 to 14 days after reaching adulthood, but they can survive up to 30 days or even 40 to 50 days in some cases. They develop quickly, often reaching adulthood in about a week to two weeks
- Cluster flies can live much longer, with adult cluster flies surviving up to a year, especially if they overwinter indoors, although they do not breed inside homes
Environmental factors such as temperature, food availability, and humidity significantly influence fly longevity. Warmer temperatures generally speed up development and can extend the adult lifespan, while lack of food or water can shorten it to just a few days
. In summary, most common flies like house flies live about 2 to 4 weeks, fruit flies about 1 to 2 weeks, and some species like cluster flies can live several months to a year under favorable conditions.
