Calyptrate
Guides
Azeliini
Azeliini is a tribe of flies within the family Muscidae, subfamily Muscinae. The tribe contains seven recognized genera, including the well-known genera Hydrotaea and Ophyra. Members of this tribe are generally small to medium-sized muscid flies found in diverse habitats worldwide.
Eutrichota fuscipes
Root maggot fly
Eutrichota fuscipes is a species of root maggot fly in the family Anthomyiidae, described by Malloch in 1920. The genus Eutrichota belongs to a group of flies commonly associated with root-feeding larvae that can be agricultural pests. This species is part of a diverse family of calyptrate flies that are ecologically significant as decomposers and, in some cases, plant pests.
Musca
house flies, face flies
Musca is a genus of calyptrate flies in the family Muscidae, containing approximately 70 species worldwide. The genus includes Musca domestica, the common house fly, one of the most widespread and synanthropic insects on Earth. Musca species are characterized by their association with human habitation and livestock, with larvae developing in decaying organic matter. Adults are medium-sized, robust flies with distinctive head morphology including aristate antennae and well-developed chaetotaxy.
Muscidae
House Flies and Allies, House Flies, Stable Flies
Muscidae is a family of flies in the superfamily Muscoidea containing nearly 4,000 described species across over 100 genera. The family exhibits diverse feeding strategies: adults may be predatory, hematophagous, saprophagous, or feed on plant and animal exudates including sugar, sweat, tears, and blood. Larvae develop in varied habitats including decaying vegetation, soil, carrion, and freshwater. While some species are synanthropic and of medical importance, most species are not associated with human habitation.
Sarcophaga cadyi
Sarcophaga cadyi is a species of flesh fly in the family Sarcophagidae, described by Giroux and Wheeler in 2010. It belongs to the subgenus Bulbostyla within the genus Sarcophaga. Like other members of Sarcophagidae, this species exhibits the characteristic dull gray coloration with thoracic stripes typical of the family. Species-level identification in this genus generally requires examination of male genitalia due to limited external diagnostic characters.
Sarcophaga johnsoni
Sarcophaga johnsoni is a species of flesh fly in the family Sarcophagidae, first described by Aldrich in 1916. Like other members of the genus Sarcophaga, this species exhibits the characteristic gray thorax with three longitudinal black stripes and checkered abdominal pattern typical of flesh flies. The species is placed in the subgenus Wohlfahrtiopsis within the genus Sarcophaga. Identification to species level requires examination of male genitalia due to the uniform external morphology shared among many sarcophagid species.
Sarcophaga pleskei
flesh fly
Sarcophaga pleskei is a species of flesh fly in the family Sarcophagidae, first described by Rohdendorf in 1937. The genus Sarcophaga is characterized by larviparous reproduction (depositing live larvae rather than eggs) and association with decomposing organic matter. Species in this genus are morphologically similar and often require examination of male genitalia for definitive identification. Distribution records indicate presence in Norway and Sweden.
Sarcophaga sinuata
Sarcophaga sinuata is a species of flesh fly in the family Sarcophagidae, first described by Meigen in 1826. It is found in the Palearctic region. As a member of the genus Sarcophaga, it belongs to a group of flies commonly known as flesh flies, though specific life history details for this species remain poorly documented. Species-level identification within Sarcophaga typically requires examination of male genitalia.
Scathophagidae
Dung Flies
Scathophagidae is a small family of calyptrate flies within the superfamily Muscoidea, comprising approximately 500 described species in 66 genera. Commonly called 'dung flies,' this name is misleading as only a few species in the genus Scathophaga actually develop in animal dung. The family exhibits diverse larval biology including plant feeding, aquatic predation, and predation on other insect larvae in moist organic substrates. Adults are predatory on small insects and are frequently observed hunting on flowers rather than pollinating. The family is predominantly distributed in the Northern Hemisphere, with exceptional diversity in the Russian Far East and strong representation in Arctic tundra habitats.
Tachinidae
Tachinid Flies, Tachinids
Tachinidae is a large and diverse family of true flies (Diptera) comprising over 8,200 described species worldwide, with more than 1,300 species in North America alone. All known tachinids are protelean parasitoids or occasionally parasites of arthropods, predominantly other insects. They are significant natural enemies of agricultural and forest pests, and many species have been employed in biological control programs. Adult flies are common flower visitors and contribute to pollination, particularly in high-elevation ecosystems where bees are scarce.