House fly vs Face fly
These two are easy to mix up. Here's how to tell a house fly from a face fly, and whether either one bites or stings.
House fly
Musca domestica
Face fly
Musca autumnalis
≠The key differences
Very similar in appearance; face flies are more associated with cattle and often found around animal faces and ocular secretions, while house flies are more generalist around human habitats.
House flies are similar but usually have a less yellow face and are more associated with human dwellings and varied breeding sites; face flies are more strongly associated with livestock and have a slightly paler/yellow face.
⚖︎Side by side
| House fly | Face fly | |
|---|---|---|
| To humans | Disease vector | Mechanical vector |
| Size | 6-7 mm body length | 6-8 mm long |
| Colours | Gray, Dark gray / black, Yellow-gray, Reddish brown (eyes) | Gray, Black, Yellow (face), Reddish (eyes) |
| Family | Muscidae | Muscidae |
| Habitat | Human dwellings, farm buildings, garbage dumps, compost piles, manure and other decaying organic material. | Farms, pastures, meadows, and any area with cattle dung or livestock; also around barns, farm buildings and sometimes houses near livestock. |
| Range | Cosmopolitan — found worldwide wherever humans or domestic animals occur. | Native to Europe and Asia; introduced and established across much of North America and present in temperate regions worldwide. |
| Active | Active year-round in warm climates; spring to autumn in temperate zones; mostly daytime (diurnal). | Active spring through autumn in temperate regions, day-active (diurnal) with peak activity in warm daylight hours. |
| Pest? | Yes | Yes |
🔍How to spot a house fly
- Gray thorax with four dark longitudinal stripes (more visible from above).
- Red-brown compound eyes (closer together in males) and slightly checkerboarded abdomen.
- Body length about 6-7 mm; sponging mouthparts and characteristic wing venation of Muscidae.
- Habit of resting on vertical surfaces and walking on food items while feeding with white saliva-like regurgitate sometimes visible.
🔍How to spot a face fly
- Size 6-8 mm, similar to house fly but with a paler or slightly yellowish face.
- Thorax grey with four distinct dark longitudinal stripes.
- Abdomen with alternating light and dark patterning; large red eyes.
- Frequently rests on the faces or around eyes and nostrils of cattle and other animals.
?Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a house fly and a face fly?
Very similar in appearance; face flies are more associated with cattle and often found around animal faces and ocular secretions, while house flies are more generalist around human habitats. House flies are similar but usually have a less yellow face and are more associated with human dwellings and varied breeding sites; face flies are more strongly associated with livestock and have a slightly paler/yellow face.
Is a house fly or a face fly more dangerous?
House fly: Disease vector. Face fly: Mechanical vector. House flies do not bite to feed, but they can contaminate food and surfaces with bacteria, protozoa and viruses picked up from waste and animal matter. Face flies do not bite or inject venom.
Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions.