Maggots

Maggots

Maggots, Flies and Midges
Type:	Insect
Order:	Diptera
Metamorphosis:	Complete

A maggot is the larval stage of the fly life cycle, though sometimes "maggot" is used to refer to the larval stage of any insect. Many maggots feed on carrion and other wastes, but some are crop pests and others are predators and parasites.

Description

Maggots are generally 4 to 12 mm in length depending on their stage of growth. Most maggots range from an off-white color to a light brown, though some can be a yellow or reddish color. Maggots have one pair of tiny hook-like parts to aid in feeding and have no legs.

The adults are easily recognized since this is the only order of insects that has only one pair of wings ("Diptera" meaning 2 wings). They be scary.

Symptoms and Signs

Pest maggots can be leaf or root feeders, borers, or leaf miners.

Ecology

The fly life cycle is composed of four stages: egg, larva (commonly known as a maggot), pupa, and adult. Most feeding is done in the maggot stage.