science education resource

Flies taste with their feet.

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Fact

This is true! The common housefly is a noisy insect that buzzes around in search of a meal. They eat any kind of food matter, garbage or even manure. They don't just eat the food they find but they are looking for a place to lay their eggs. Their eggs hatch into maggots, which feast on the rotten matter in which they were laid. Because of their habits, which are considered disgusting by humans, with the potential that they can transport bacteria from one place to another, spreading disease, houseflies are quickly killed on sight. They have survived by moving quickly from place to place, sampling foods as they go. Houseflies have taste buds on their feet. This allows them to land, take a quick taste of potential food, then escape the danger of being eaten by birds or spiders -- or swatted by you!

<p></p><p>Flies taste with their feet.</p>
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