Housefly

Description:

Diptera; Muscidae; Musca; Musca domestica Linnaeus, 1758. In a recent spotting about the digestive system of a Housefly, I mentioned that I had observed this behaviour a number of years previously*. I also said that I would try and find a picture and submit it as a further spotting on the same subject. I found the picture and this is it. Note* I edited that spotting to give more information and the comment on this photo was deleted.

Habitat:

I spotted this Housefly (with a globule of digestive fluid hanging from its mouth) on a leaf of Hyacinth bean (Lablab purpureus) at the back of our house. This plant is locally called Bataw. Plant I.D.- http://www.stuartxchange.org/Bataw

Notes:

"House flies have sponge-like mouthparts, which are good for soaking up liquefied substances but not for eating solid foods. So, the house fly either seeks out food that is already in puddle form, or it finds a way to turn the food source into something it can manage. This is where things get kind of gross. When a house fly locates something tasty but solid, it regurgitates onto the food (which may be your food, if it's buzzing around your barbecue). The fly vomit contains digestive enzymes that go to work on the desired snack, quickly predigesting and liquefying it so the fly can lap it up." https://www.thoughtco.com/fascinating-fa...... . Now I realize that everybody out there probably knew what the droplets were and if you didn't know before, you do now. As for myself I think I was happier when I didn't know.