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Glite Dictionary
Musca domestica

Musca domestica

6.2
A common housefly that lives near people and can spread disease
  • noun
  • /ˈmʌskə doʊˈmɛstɪkə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Musca domestica
  • Musca domestica is known to transmit various diseases due to its habit of landing on waste and food.

Examples

  • Scientists studied the behavior of Musca domestica to develop better pest control methods.

  • The Musca domestica is often found in kitchens.

  • The spread of Musca domestica increases during the summer months when temperatures rise.

  • Did you know that Musca domestica can spread diseases?

  • The Musca domestica is commonly found buzzing around human food and waste.

  • Researchers are investigating how Musca domestica carries germs from one place to another.

  • During warmer months, the presence of Musca domestica in households tends to increase.

Synonyms

housefly
vsMusca domestica
4 1.3

A small fly that lives in houses and can spread germs

is the formal Latin name used in scientific classification
house fly
vsMusca domestica
1.6

A small common fly that lives in houses and can spread disease

is the formal Latin name rather than the spaced common form

Surface Forms

Musca domestica singular
Muscae domesticae plural

Morphology

Musca + domestica

The binomial is compositionally transparent: Musca (a fly genus) + domestica (cognate of 'domestic') yields 'domestic fly' or housefly. Although 'domestica' is Latin, its relation to English 'domestic' is cross-linguistically obvious and follows standard scientific naming, so a learner who knows the constituents can infer the meaning.

Etymology

Musca domestica comes from two Latin words: Musca meaning 'fly' and domestica meaning 'of the house'. The name gives a clear picture — it is the fly that lives in houses, which is why scientists use it for the common housefly.