Calyptrate-flies
Guides
Cyanus
Cyanus is a genus of blow flies in the family Calliphoridae, established by Hall in 1948. The genus contains at least one recognized species, C. elongatus (Hough, 1898). As a member of the Calliphoridae, it belongs to the diverse group of calyptrate flies commonly known as blow flies or bluebottles.
Drymeia
Drymeia is a genus of true flies in the family Muscidae, tribe Azeliini. The genus was established by Meigen in 1826 and contains approximately 31 documented observations on iNaturalist. As a member of Muscidae, Drymeia species are part of a diverse group of calyptrate flies commonly associated with various terrestrial habitats.
Morellia
Morellia is a large genus of true flies in the family Muscidae. Members are robust, dark-colored flies with distinctive thoracic patterning. The genus was established by Robineau-Desvoidy in 1830 and contains numerous species distributed across multiple continents.
Plethochaeta
Plethochaeta is a genus of dung flies in the family Scathophagidae, established by Daniel William Coquillett in 1901. The genus belongs to the subfamily Scathophaginae and contains species whose biology remains poorly documented. Members of this genus are part of the diverse assemblage of calyptrate flies associated with decomposing organic matter.
Polleniidae
cluster flies
Polleniidae is a family of calyptrate flies in the order Diptera, commonly known as "cluster flies." The family was elevated from subfamily rank within Calliphoridae to full family status in 2019 based on phylogenetic evidence. It comprises approximately 150 species in eight genera, with Pollenia being the most diverse and widespread genus containing about 95 species. Members are primarily soil-dwelling and develop as endoparasitoids of earthworms.
Sarcophagidae
flesh flies, satellite flies
Sarcophagidae is a large family of calyptrate flies in the order Diptera, commonly known as flesh flies due to the necrophagous habits of many species. The family comprises approximately 2,842 species worldwide, with peak diversity in the Neotropics. Unlike most flies, sarcophagids are larviparous, depositing live first-instar larvae rather than eggs onto carrion, dung, decaying organic matter, or open wounds. The family includes three subfamilies with diverse life histories: Sarcophaginae (necrophagous, saprophagous, and parasitoid species), Miltogramminae (kleptoparasitic), and Paramacronychiinae (predatory or parasitoid). Species such as Wohlfahrtia magnifica and Sarcophaga haemorrhoidalis cause traumatic myiasis in livestock and humans. Due to their early colonization of carcasses, sarcophagids are important forensic indicators for postmortem interval estimation.
Sarcophaginae
Typical Flesh Flies
Sarcophaginae is a diverse subfamily of flesh flies comprising at least 60 genera and over 1,800 species worldwide, with the highest diversity in the Neotropical region. These calyptrate flies are characterized by their association with decomposing organic matter, including carrion, feces, and decaying material. Many species exhibit synanthropic behavior, thriving in human-modified environments. Their life histories encompass necrophagy, coprophagy, and scavenging, with some species documented in association with eusocial wasp nests. Species identification relies heavily on male genitalia due to uniform external chaetotaxy.
Scathophaginae
dung flies, yellow dung flies
Scathophaginae is a subfamily of predatory flies within the family Scathophagidae, commonly known as dung flies. The subfamily contains at least 30 genera and approximately 130 described species. Adults are frequently associated with dung and decaying organic matter, where they occur in large numbers. The group is notable for being predatory rather than coprophagous, with both adults and larvae feeding on other insects.