Fly
Medfly
A fly (plural flies) is any species of insect of the order Diptera, some of which land on food and transmit bacteria to humans. Other flies bite. The larva of a fly is commonly called a maggot.
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2 Fly-like insects 3 Other meanings |
The type of maggots found on a corpse can be used by forensic scientists to give an indication of the time elapsed since, and place of, death.
Maggots are a popular bait in angling, and a food for carnivourous pets such as reptiles or birds.
A fly is a lure, used in angling, with materials such as feathers or cotton thread, tied to look like a real fly.
To fly is to travel through air, like a bird or aeroplane, or to travel on or pilot an aircraft. To fly or move rapidly is to skirr.
Flies in trousers are a zipped or buttoned opening, desined to allow men ease of access when urinating.
Flies in a theatre are a hidden storage area over the stage from which scenery descends.Maggots
Some maggots which eat dead, but not live, flesh have been used medicinally, being introduced into wounds to clean them. Other maggots, such as the screwworm, eat live flesh.Use in Medicine
In the early days of medicine, maggot infestations of wounds were inevitable. The wounds that were infested tended to be less life-threatening than wounds without the infestation, so until the development of antibiotics it was common practice to leave the maggots. After antibiotics, it became viewed as barbaric and the practice all but ceased. In recent years, however, use of specially sanitized maggots has found its way as a treatment for gangrene and other bacterial infestations since the maggot will only eat the dead flesh and leave the living cells intact. It is especially useful for people with weakened immune systems or blood flow that become infected in the extremities, such as diabetics.Fly-like insects
The word "fly" also refers to insects of various other orders:
Other meanings