What three types of flies have sponging lapping mouthparts?

The correct answer identifies types of flies that possess sponging or lapping mouthparts, which are adapted for feeding on liquids. In the case of fruit flies, house flies, and bottle or blow flies, their mouthparts enable them to sponge up liquids, particularly those containing sugars and other nutrients found in decaying organic material, fruits, or various foods.

Fruit flies are commonly attracted to fermenting fruits and vegetables, where their sponging mouthparts allow them to efficiently feed on the liquid exudates. House flies similarly feed on a variety of organic substances, including waste and decomposing matter. Bottle or blow flies are known to lay their eggs in decaying matter, and the sponging mouthparts facilitate their feeding on the essential nutrients found in these environments.

In contrast, the other choices contain flies with different mouthpart adaptations. For instance, stable flies and horse flies have piercing-sucking mouthparts designed for blood-feeding, while black and face flies also possess similar adaptations. Therefore, B correctly identifies the group of flies known for their sponging lapping mouthparts, making it the most accurate choice.