Naked Science Forum

General Science => Question of the Week => Topic started by: nudephil on 26/04/2021 09:22:38

Title: QotW - 21.04.26 - What do flies do in winter?
Post by: nudephil on 26/04/2021 09:22:38

Listener Jeffrey wants to know:

We’ve had a cold and snowy winter, and I’ve had to shovel my driveway every few days. We had a fly in our house, and I was curious if it survived the cold somehow, or recently hatched?

What happens to flies during winter?

Title: Re: QotW - 21.04.26 - What do flies do in winter?
Post by: evan_au on 26/04/2021 09:26:30

I'm sure if there is food and warmth indoors, flies will multiply all through winter...

Title: Re: QotW - 21.04.26 - What do flies do in winter?
Post by: CliffordK on 26/04/2021 10:58:16

There are notes on the web that the adult common housefly will typically live for 15 to 30 days in a warm environment. 

Cold below freezing should kill the adults, but low temperatures slightly above freezing may slow down their metabolism, and might extend their lives.

Here are a couple of related topics from the past.

Do flies hibernate?  (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=53598)
How can a fly withstand sub-zero temperatures?  (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=51159)

Title: Re: QotW - 21.04.26 - What do flies do in winter?
Post by: Adam Murphy on 10/05/2021 15:13:13

Thanks all for your input. This question has now been answered and you can find it here: https://www.thenakedscientists.com/podcasts/question-week/can-flies-survive-winter