Little house fly

Little house fly is generally most numerous during the cooler spring and fall months. As temperatures rise in summer, populations of Fannia diminish. Adults are approximately two-thirds the size of the house fly and lack the house fly’s distinctive thoracic stripes. Fannia at rest hold their wings over the back more than the house fly does, creating a narrower V-shape to the wing outline. Flying clusters of male Fannia typically form in areas with still air such as breezeways and porch areas of residential homes, maintaining a position 5 or 6 feet above the ground. Strong air currents tend to disperse these male aggregations.

Little house flies are more reluctant to enter homes than are house flies; instead, they tend to congregate in outdoor areas such as patios, entryways, and garages. As temperatures decline, they seek cover in buildings or protective vegetation. They seldom land on human foods and are not considered a significant carrier of human disease agents. However, their habit of hovering at face height makes them annoying, though they move readily out of the way when approached.