1. Insecte diptère.
2. (Au figuré) Espion.
In target shooting: a score made by hitting the center of the target.
The center of a target; SYN. bull.
ETYM Old Eng. flie, flege, AS. flyge, fleóge, from fleógan to fly; akin to Dutch vlieg, Old High Germ. flioga, German fliege, Icel. and Swed. fluga, Dan. flue. Related to Fly.
Any insect of the order Diptera. A fly has a single pair of wings, antennae, and compound eyes; the hind wings have become modified into knoblike projections (halteres) used to maintain equilibrium in flight. There are over 90,000 species.
The mouthparts project from the head as a proboscis used for sucking fluids, modified in some species, such as mosquitoes, to pierce a victim’s skin and suck blood. Discs at the ends of hairs on their feet secrete a fluid enabling them to walk up walls and across ceilings. Flies undergo complete metamorphosis; their larvae (maggots) are without true legs, and the pupae are rarely enclosed in a cocoon. The sexes are similar and coloration is rarely vivid, though some are metallic green or blue. The fruitfly, genus Drosophila, is much used in genetic experiments as it is easy to keep, fast-breeding, and has easily visible chromosomes.
1. Two-winged insects characterized by active flight.
2. (Angling) Fisherman's lure; a fishhook decorated to look like an insect.
Fly of the genus Musca, found in and around dwellings, especially M. domestica, a common worldwide species. Houseflies are gray and have mouthparts adapted for drinking liquids and sucking moisture from food and manure.
The housefly, Musca domestica, is one of the most common of all insects. It is a worldwide pest in homes, barns, poultry houses, food-processing plants, recreation areas, etc.
House fly eggs are laid in almost any type of warm organic material. Animal or poultry manure is an excellent breeding medium. Decaying vegetation such as grass clippings and garbage can also provide for optimum breeding conditions.
Houseflies are strong fliers and can become widely distributed by flying, wind currents, vehicles and animals. Generally, though, flies are abundant in the immediate vicinity of their breeding site.
Common fly that frequents human habitations and spreads many diseases; SYN. Musca domestica.