House fly (Musca domestica)

Photomacrograph of the head of a common house fly (Musca domestica). The fly's mouthparts and two large compound eyes (for accurate perception of movement) can be seen. They are commonly found all over the world usually in areas of human activity. Even though these flies do not bite, they are considered pests and can pick up diseases from garbage, sewage and other sources of filth and carry them in their mouthparts and alimentary canal. These can then be transmitted onto human and animal food when the fly comes into contact with it. Disease-causing pathogens that can be commonly transmitted by house flies include Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, Escherichia, Enterococcus and Chlamydia. Width of image is 1.5 cm.