Fly larvae, also known as maggots, are the immature stage of flies. They hatch from eggs laid by adult flies, which can be found in damp, dark surfaces such as compost, manure, and other decomposing organic material. House fly eggs look like small grains of rice and hatch within 24 hours. The larvae emerge from the eggs and feed for approximately five days, after which they find dry, dark locations for pupal development. During this stage, the maggots molt several times and develop dark shells over their soft, white bodies, which helps to protect them from predators as they prepare for their final metamorphosis. The pupal stage lasts for three to six days, during which the pupae develop legs and wings, ultimately emerging as full-grown house flies.
Fly larvae can be commonly found on rotting plant or animal material, and if an animal dies, maggots will most likely feed on the corpse. Certain wasps are known to lay their eggs inside maggots, and when these eggs hatch, young wasps devour the maggot from the inside out. As decomposers, maggots are important to the nutrient cycling of many ecosystems and help make nutrients available to plants and other organisms. While all maggots consume decaying organic matter, the larvae of different fly species have different food preferences. Maggots also serve as an essential energy source in the food webs of many ecosystems, and an incredible variety of terrestrial and aquatic animals feed on maggots.
