The diagram illustrates the various stages in the life cycle of a fly, from egg to adulthood.
Overall, the life cycle is a cyclical process consisting of four main stages – egg, larva, pupa and adult – and it takes approximately two to four weeks to complete.
At the beginning of the cycle, a mature female fly lays eggs, which hatch within 8 to 24 hours. These eggs then develop into larvae, which pass through three distinct larval stages over a period of around 4 to 7 days. During this time, the larvae grow significantly in size.
Following the larval stages, the organism enters the pupal stage, where it remains for 10 to 20 days. This stage is crucial as major physical transformation occurs. Finally, a young adult fly emerges from the pupa and gradually matures. After approximately 20 days, the adult fly becomes capable of laying eggs, thereby restarting the life cycle.
