Keller's insect models: House fly

The house fly (Musca domestica) is a member of the Diptera order, in which only the pair of forewings is fully formed, whereas the hindwings have been transformed to club-like halteres. Their vibrating movements stabilise the body during the flight. Adhesive hairs on their feet enable house flies to hold on to smooth surfaces and even sit and move with their heads pointing downwards.

House fly (Musca domestica), model magnified by 50, 1932