A housefly is not likely your favorite guest. But just because they can be pests does not mean they aren't interesting. When seen from a naturalistic perspective, flies are actually a marvel of biology.
The buzz emitted, whether from flies or other insects, such as mosquitoes, is created by the rapid flapping of their tiny wings, which have no joints. With all that rapid wing movement, it has been determined that the housefly buzzes in the key of F.
What's even more outstanding is that the common housefly, Mustica domestica, beats its wings 200 times per second! Of course, such a speed is so rapid that the movement of the wings cannot be easily perceived by the eye.
Even though 200 beats per second may sound fast, it doesn't translate to much speed. The housefly tops out at all of about 4.5 miles per hour. When they take off, they usually begin by going backwards. So if you're trying to swat one, aim behind the fly.
