What characteristic is typical of house fly larvae?

House fly larvae, commonly referred to as maggots, have a typical appearance characterized by their elongated and smooth bodies. This specific shape allows them to move effectively through various environments, usually in decomposing organic material where they thrive.

While they might be described as resembling small worms, it is primarily their slender, smooth form that distinguishes them as maggots rather than typical segmented worms. Maggots do not display distinct segmentation; instead, they tend to have a more uniform body structure, lacking the segments that would be characteristic of certain worm species. Additionally, house fly larvae are not brightly colored; they usually appear creamy white or pale and are mainly pale in coloration, lacking the vibrant shades of many other larval forms.

Thus, the description of house fly larvae as resembling small worms captures their overall morphology and similarities with other legless larvae, reinforcing their identity as maggots in the waste environments they inhabit.