Flesh flies

Definition

Members of the dipteran family Sarcophagidae, characterized by ovoviviparous reproduction in which females deposit hatched or hatching maggots rather than eggs onto carrion, dung, decaying organic matter, or open wounds of mammals. Adults feed on fluids from animal bodies, nectar, and sweet substances; larvae of many species are saprophagous, while others are parasitoids of Orthoptera or kleptoparasites of solitary Hymenoptera.

Etymology

From the association of many species with vertebrate carrion and wound myiasis.

Example

The gray-striped thorax and checkerboard abdomen pattern distinguishes adult Sarcophaga from blow flies (Calliphoridae) at carrion-baited traps in forensic entomology surveys.

Synonyms

• sarcophagids

Related Terms

• Sarcophagidae
• Blow flies
• myiasis
• carrion ecology
• Forensic entomology
• ovoviviparity
• kleptoparasitism

Usage Notes

The common name refers specifically to Sarcophagidae, not to all flies associated with flesh; some flesh-associated flies belong to Calliphoridae (blow flies), Muscidae, or other families. Distinguishing flesh flies from blow flies in the field requires attention to thoracic patterning—flesh flies typically show three dark longitudinal stripes versus the metallic coloration of most calliphorids. The term is sometimes applied loosely to any fly producing myiasis, but specialists restrict it to Sarcophagidae.