Fly (original) (raw)

A fly (plural flies) is any species of insect of the order Diptera, some of which land on food and transmit bacteria to humans. Other flies bite. The larva of a fly is commonly called a maggot.

Maggots

Some maggots which eat dead, but not live, flesh have been used medicinally, being introduced into wounds to clean them. Other maggots, such as the screwworm, eat live flesh.

The type of maggots found on a corpse can be used by forensic scientists to give an indication of the time elapsed since, and place of, death.

Maggots are a popular bait in angling, and a food for carnivourous pets such as reptiles or birds.

Fly- like insects

The word "fly" also refers to insects of various other orders:

• firefly - Coleoptera:Lampyridae
• caddis fly - Trichoptera
• dragonfly and damselfly, Odonata
• butterfly - Lepidoptera
• stonefly - Plecoptera
• mayfly - Ephemeroptera
• sawfly - Hymenoptera:Tenthredinidae
• scorpionfly and Hangingfly - Mecoptera
• alderfly, Dobsonfly, and Fishfly - Megaloptera

Other meanings

A fly is a lure, used in angling, with materials such as feathers or cotton thread, tied to look like a real fly.

To fly is to travel through air, like a bird or aeroplane, or to travel on or pilot an aircraft.

Flies in trousers are a zipped or buttoned opening, desined to allow men ease of access when urinating.

Flies in a theatre are a hidden storage area over the stage from which scenery descends.