The gestation of a house fly egg is approximately 24 hours. Therefore, you could say that the "pregnancy" of a fly, referring to the time it takes for the egg to develop and be laid, is only about one day.
Flies reproduce rapidly. Here's a breakdown of the early stages, based on the provided reference:
- Egg Gestation: The eggs gestate for just 24 hours.
- Larval Stage: Once hatched, the larvae (maggots) feed for around four days, accumulating nutrients for their metamorphosis.
- Rapid Spread: This quick cycle contributes to how quickly fly infestations can spread.
In conclusion, while the term "pregnant" isn't scientifically accurate for flies, the time it takes for a fly egg to develop is only 24 hours.