Australian Bush Fly
Scientific Name: Musca vetustissima
Size: TL 7mm
What does it look like?
The Australian Bush Fly is ashy-grey with 2 diverging black stripes on the thorax, becoming 4 near the head, and red eyes. The 2 rounded, triangular, transparent wings touch or overlap slightly when at rest. Abdomen yellowish and eyes touching in male, abdomen grey and black and eyes separated in female.
Where is it found?
The Australian Bush Fly is endemic to Australia, where it is widespread in drier areas of all states and territories, except Tas.
What are its habitats & habits?
The Bush Fly is found in drier parts of Australia, where it is a bothersome fly during the summer months, with swarms of flies landing on the back of animals (including humans) and crawling around the eyes, nose, ears and mouth, searching for moisture and proteins (female). Responsible for spreading bacteria, such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella.
This species features in my book A Naturalist’s Guide to the Insects of Australia
