Fighter Fly

A Fighter Fly (also spelled Fighterfly ) is a grinning pest that first appeared in the sewers of the original Mario Bros. arcade game. They are characterized by their ability to hop – an ability that allows them to cause trouble for Mario and Luigi.

''Mario Bros.
In Mario Bros., Fighter Flies were one of the myriad of pests that emerged from pipes to attack Mario and Luigi. They first appeared in Stage Six. After a Fighter Fly emerged, it would hop across the stage's platforms. As such, Mario had to precisely time his Jump when the Fighter Fly was on the ground to flip the creature over. If airborne, a Fighter Fly would not be flipped over - not even if Mario used the POW Block. Once flipped over, Mario had to run into the insect to clear it off the stage.

Super Mario Bros. Special
Though it is not well known, fighter flies do appear in this game.

''Super Mario Land
During the events of Super Mario Land, Fighter Flies were simply named Flies and are seen in the Birabuto Kingdom of Sarasaland. In this game, they would hop towards Mario, just like in the previous games. Kumos from the Easton Kingdom attack in the same manner as Fighter Flies. They can simply be jumped on or be shot with a superball to be defeated. Afterwards, Flies would award Mario with 400 points. It is only found in the first stage, World 1-1.

''Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
In the game Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, Fighter Flies lived in Stardust Fields, the border between the Mushroom Kingdom and the Beanbean Kingdom. To attack, a Fighter Fly will hop towards Mario or Luigi and bump into the plumber. The heroes could jump to avoid their attacks. Stats: HP: 4 Atk: 2 Def: 0 Sp: 4

Mario and Luigi also encountered a stronger version of the Fighter Fly, the Super Fly, in the basement of Beanbean Castle.

Trivia

 * In later remakes of Mario Bros., the Fighter Fly was redesigned. It is still thin, but it has a different mouth instead of the grinning face. Its eyes also now resemble a Lakitu's goggles.
 * Fighter Flies also appear on Mario's Classic court in Mario Power Tennis. Like other enemies, they can trip up an opponent.
 * For reasons unknown, the Fighter Fly is absent from the stage, Mario Bros., in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
 * The name of the enemy is a pun on a Firefly.