Flesh-fly
Guides
Arachnidomyia
Arachnidomyia is a genus-group name established by Townsend in 1934 within the flesh fly family Sarcophagidae. Its taxonomic status remains unsettled: Catalogue of Life treats it as a synonym of Sarcophaga (Mehria), while GBIF marks it as doubtful and iNaturalist classifies it as a subgenus of Sarcophaga. The genus contains few documented species and is rarely referenced in modern literature.
Blaesoxipha
Grasshopper Flesh Flies
Blaesoxipha is a genus of flesh flies (Sarcophagidae) with cosmopolitan distribution. Species in this genus are parasitoids, primarily attacking grasshoppers and related orthopterans. Some species have been documented as agents of myiasis in vertebrates. The genus includes notable species such as B. plinthopyga, which can cause myiasis, and B. redempta, a parasitoid of Stauroderus scalaris distributed across the Palearctic realm.
Blaesoxipha hunteri
Blaesoxipha hunteri is a species of flesh fly in the family Sarcophagidae, originally described as Sarcophaga hunteri by Hough in 1898. Members of the genus Blaesoxipha are known as satellite flies due to their kleptoparasitic behavior, laying eggs on the prey of other insects rather than capturing prey directly. This species is part of a genus whose species are frequently associated with burrowing wasps and bees.
Boettcheria
Boettcheria is a genus of flesh flies in the family Sarcophagidae, containing at least 20 described species. The genus was established by Parker in 1914. One species, Boettcheria cimbicis, has been documented as a parasitoid of the Elm Sawfly (Cimbex americana), reared from pupal cocoons.
Boettcheria bisetosa
Boettcheria bisetosa is a species of flesh fly in the family Sarcophagidae, first described by Parker in 1914. The genus Boettcheria comprises parasitoid flies whose larvae develop within other insects. B. bisetosa has been documented as a parasitoid of sawfly pupae, specifically reared from pupal cocoons of the Elm Sawfly (Cimbex americana). Like other sarcophagids, adults likely do not feed at the larval host but instead consume nectar or other liquid foods.
Boettcheria cimbicis
Boettcheria cimbicis is a species of flesh fly in the family Sarcophagidae. The species has been documented as a parasitoid of the Elm Sawfly (Cimbex americana), specifically reared from its pupal cocoons. It represents a specialized ecological relationship within the Sarcophagidae, a family better known for generalist carrion-feeding habits.
Boettcheria latisterna
Boettcheria latisterna is a species of flesh fly in the family Sarcophagidae, described by Parker in 1914. The genus Boettcheria comprises sarcophagid flies associated with parasitic life histories. This species has been documented as a parasitoid of the Elm Sawfly (Cimbex americana), specifically reared from pupal cocoons of that host.
Helicobia
flesh flies
Helicobia is a genus of flesh flies (Sarcophagidae) comprising at least 30 described species. Members are necrophagous and associated with decomposing animal matter. The genus has been studied for its forensic importance, particularly in estimating postmortem intervals. Research on Helicobia aurescens has provided detailed life cycle data and ultrastructural descriptions of immature stages.
Lepidodexia
Lepidodexia is a genus of flesh flies (Sarcophagidae) containing at least 170 described species. The genus was established by Brauer & Bergenstamm in 1891. Taxonomic revisions have clarified its boundaries, including revalidation of subgeneric names such as Orosarcophaga. Species in this genus are distinguished primarily by male terminalia morphology.
Miltogramminae
Satellite Flies
Miltogramminae is a subfamily of flesh flies (Sarcophagidae) commonly known as satellite flies. They are obligate kleptoparasites that exploit the prey provisions of solitary bees and wasps, depositing their larvae on or near host-captured prey items. The subfamily has a global distribution with notable diversity in the Afrotropical, Palearctic, and Nearctic regions. Their common name derives from the behavior of adult females 'orbiting' host wasps to locate nests.
Neotibicen canicularis
dog-day cicada, dog-day harvestfly, heatbug, Northern Dog-day Cicada
Neotibicen canicularis is an annual cicada species found across much of North America, commonly known as the dog-day cicada or dog-day harvestfly. Unlike periodical cicadas that emerge in synchronized broods every 13 or 17 years, this species appears every summer, though individuals require several years to develop underground. Adults are active during the hot midsummer period traditionally called the "dog days." The species has been documented as a host for multiple flesh fly parasitoids in the family Sarcophagidae, including several first-record associations.
cicadaannual-cicadadog-day-cicadaHemipteraCicadidaeNeotibicenNorth-Americaparasitoid-hostflesh-flySarcophagidaesummersongtymbalnocturnal-emergencenymphroot-feedercarrionEmblemasomaHelicobiaSarcophagaOntarioQuébecOklahomaprairiewoodlandentomologyinsect-photographyMr.-JulyESA-calendarKeith-KennedyTed-MacRaeCatherine-DanaJohn-CooleyGene-Kritskycicada-killerSphecius-speciosusperiodical-cicada-contrastclimate-change-indicatorsoil-temperature-emergencebrood-XIIIbrood-XIXMagicicadaMegatibicenNeotibicen-auriferusNeotibicen-pruinosusNeotibicen-superbusMegatibicen-dorsatusMegatibicen-tremulusMegatibicen-dealbatuscicada-mappingCicada-Safaricitizen-scienceiNaturalistGBIFCatalogue-of-LifeNCBI-Taxonomylate-summerAugustJulyMontréalWoodward-CountyCimarron-CountyMajor-CountyBeaver-CountyAlabaster-Caverns-State-ParkGloss-Mountain-State-ParkBeaver-Dunes-ParkBlack-Mesa-State-Parkshortgrass-prairiehackberrybumeliajunipercanyon-woodlandmesquite-chaparralsand-duneHelianthus-annuusHelianthus-petiolarisProsopis-glandulosaPopulus-deltoidesRhus-aromaticaAsclepias-engelmanniiAsclepias-latifoliaSideroxylon-lanuginosumEuphorbia-marginatajug-trapLindgren-funnelultraviolet-lightmercury-vapor-lightacoustic-communicationpredator-avoidancecamouflagegreen-and-black-colorationcicada-killer-waspparasitoidEmblemasoma-albicomaEmblemasoma-erroHelicobia-rapaxSarcophaga-sarracenioidesSarcophaga-utilisfirst-recordnew-host-associationnew-provincial-recordnutrient-cyclingcarrion-resourcefood-webpredator-preyaerationflaggingtree-pruningclimate-changeearlier-emergencesoil-temperature64-Fahrenheitstraggler-cicadabrood-overlapIllinoisMidwestGreat-Plainseastern-forestannual-emergencesynchronous-emergencemass-emergencebrood-Xbrood-IIbrood-XIVbrood-XXIII17-year-cicada13-year-cicadaMagicicada-septendecimMagicicada-cassiniMagicicada-septendeculaOkanagana-rimosaSay's-cicadaTibicenAbrictaAmphipsaltaAruntaAustrotomaAyuthiaBaeturiaBalintaBasaBrevisanaCacamaCalyriaCicadatraCicadettaCicadivettaCosmopsaltriaCyclochilaDiceroproctaDundubiaEuterpnosiaFidicinaFidicinoidesGaeanaHenicopsaltriaHerreraHuechysHyalessaHylocicadaJassopsaltriaKikihiaLembejaLemurianaMacrotristriaMaoricicadaMoganniaMudaMyerscicadaNeopsaltriaNotopsaltaOkanaganaOkanagodesOligoglenaOnoralnaOudeboschiaPacarinaPahariaPalapsaltaPauropsaltaPictilaPlatypleuraPomponiaPsaltodaPterapsaltaQuesadaQuintiliaRaiateanaSaticulaSemiaSonotympanaSoudaniellaTaipingaTannaTerpnosiaTettigadesTettigettaThophaTibicinaTosenaTryellaUradolichosVenustriaXeropsaltaYezoterpnosiaZammaraZaphsaRafaelia rufiventris
Rafaelia rufiventris is a species of flesh fly in the family Sarcophagidae, first described by Charles Townsend in 1917. The genus Rafaelia is placed within the subfamily Sarcophaginae. As with other sarcophagid flies, adults likely exhibit the typical flesh fly morphology including a gray thorax with longitudinal stripes and a checkered abdominal pattern. The specific epithet "rufiventris" refers to a reddish or rufous-colored abdomen or ventral surface.
Ravinia acerba
Ravinia acerba is a species of flesh fly in the family Sarcophagidae, first described by Francis Walker in 1849. As a member of the genus Ravinia, it belongs to a group of sarcophagid flies commonly known as flesh flies due to their association with decomposing animal matter. The species is documented in taxonomic databases but remains poorly studied in the scientific literature, with limited published information on its biology and ecology.
Sarcophaga
Common Flesh Flies
Sarcophaga is a large genus of true flies (Diptera) comprising over 1000 species worldwide. These flies are commonly known as flesh flies due to the necrophagous habits of many species. Adults are medium to large-sized with characteristic gray coloration, three longitudinal dark stripes on the thorax, and checkered abdominal patterning. Species identification requires microscopic examination of male genitalia due to uniform external morphology. The genus exhibits diverse life histories including necrophagy, coprophagy, parasitism, and parasitoidism.
Sarcophaga aldrichi
Friendly Fly, Large Flesh Fly
Sarcophaga aldrichi is a parasitoid flesh fly commonly known as the friendly fly or large flesh fly. It is a specialized parasitoid of the forest tent caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria), depositing live larvae into host cocoons where they consume the pupating caterpillars. The species exhibits distinctive delayed population dynamics, with outbreaks occurring one year after peak host caterpillar abundance. Adults are frequently encountered in large numbers during outbreak years, sometimes becoming a nuisance to humans despite being harmless.
Sarcophaga bullata
grey flesh fly
Sarcophaga bullata, commonly known as the grey flesh fly, is a species of flesh fly in the family Sarcophagidae. Adults range from 8 to 17 millimeters in length and are distinguished by grey coloration with three black longitudinal thoracic stripes and a checkered abdominal pattern. The species is larviparous, giving birth to first-instar larvae rather than laying eggs. It is widely distributed across the Nearctic region and has become increasingly important in forensic entomology for post-mortem interval estimation.
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 melanura
flesh fly
Sarcophaga melanura is a species of flesh fly in the family Sarcophagidae, described by Meigen in 1826. The species belongs to the subgenus Helicophagella within the genus Sarcophaga. Like other members of Sarcophagidae, it exhibits the family's characteristic gray thorax with three longitudinal black stripes and checkered abdominal patterning. Species-level identification in this genus requires examination of male genitalia due to the group's uniform external morphology.
Sarcophaga nearctica
Sarcophaga nearctica is a species of flesh fly in the family Sarcophagidae, a group of necrophagous flies frequently encountered in forensic entomology contexts. Like other members of its genus, it is attracted to decomposing organic matter including carrion. The species was described by Parker in 1916. Flesh flies in this family are distinguished by their reproductive strategy of larviparity (depositing live larvae rather than eggs) and their characteristic thoracic pattern of black and gray stripes.
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 sarraceniae
Sarcophaga sarraceniae is a flesh fly in the family Sarcophagidae, first described by Riley in 1874. The species name refers to its association with pitcher plants (Sarracenia), indicating a specialized ecological relationship. 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 specific epithet 'sarraceniae' distinguishes it as one of the few sarcophagid species with a documented specialized association with carnivorous plants.
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.
Sphenometopa
Sphenometopa is a genus of flesh flies (Sarcophagidae) in the subfamily Miltogramminae, established by Townsend in 1908. Members of this genus are parasitoid flies, with larvae that develop in the nests of solitary bees and wasps. The genus is part of a diverse group of kleptoparasitic or parasitoid sarcophagids that exploit the provisions of host insects rather than carrion.
Sphenometopa nebulosa
Sphenometopa nebulosa is a species of flesh fly in the family Sarcophagidae, subfamily Miltogramminae. Originally described as Araba nebulosa by Coquillett in 1902, this species was later transferred to the genus Sphenometopa. The genus Sphenometopa is part of the kleptoparasitic miltogrammine flesh flies, which are known for their association with solitary bees and wasps. The species is rarely encountered, with only two observations recorded in iNaturalist.
Tricharaea simplex
Tricharaea simplex is a species of flesh fly in the family Sarcophagidae, described by Aldrich in 1916. It belongs to a genus of sarcophagid flies distributed primarily in the Neotropical region. The species is poorly documented in scientific literature, with minimal published biological information.
Wohlfahrtia
Wohlfahrtia is a genus of flesh flies in the family Sarcophagidae comprising at least 20 described species. Species within this genus are known facultative parasites that cause traumatic myiasis in mammals, including livestock and humans. Larvae develop in wounds or necrotic tissue, with some species serving as forensic indicators for postmortem interval estimation. The genus exhibits larviparous reproduction, with females depositing larvae directly onto suitable substrates.
Wohlfahrtia vigil
fox maggot, myiasis fly
Wohlfahrtia vigil is a flesh fly (Sarcophagidae) known for causing myiasis in mammals. The species has been studied for its laboratory rearing methods and behavioral characteristics. Adults are active during warmer months and females deposit larvae on or near hosts rather than laying eggs.