Piophilidae
Guides
Actenoptera
Actenoptera is a genus of small flies in the family Piophilidae, established by Czerny in 1904. Members of this genus are part of the cheese skipper family, a group known for larval development in protein-rich substrates. The genus appears to be poorly studied, with limited published information on species diversity and biology.
Allopiophila
Allopiophila is a genus of small flies in the family Piophilidae, established by Hendel in 1917. The genus comprises approximately 20 described species distributed primarily across northern and central Europe. Species are distinguished by morphological features including variations in leg coloration, thoracic setation, and abdominal ornamentation.
Allopiophila testacea
Allopiophila testacea is a species of cheese skipper fly in the family Piophilidae, described by Melander in 1924. The genus Allopiophila is small and contains few described species. Members of Piophilidae are known for their association with protein-rich decomposing organic matter, particularly animal remains and cheese. The specific epithet 'testacea' refers to the shell-like or testaceous coloration typical of the species.
Amphipogon hyperboreus
Amphipogon hyperboreus is a small fly in the family Piophilidae, originally described as Ambopogon hyperboreus by Greene in 1919. The genus Amphipogon belongs to the cheese skipper family, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented. It is known from a small number of observations and appears to have a northern distribution pattern suggested by its specific epithet 'hyperboreus' (meaning 'beyond the north').
Mycetaulus polypori
Mycetaalus polypori is a small fly in the family Piophilidae, described by Melander in 1924. The species epithet suggests an association with polypore fungi (bracket fungi), though specific ecological relationships remain poorly documented. Like other piophilids, it likely inhabits decomposing organic matter. Published biological studies on this species are scarce.
Prochyliza
Waltzing Flies
Prochyliza is a genus of waltzing flies in the family Piophilidae, containing approximately 11 described species. The genus is best known for the species Prochyliza xanthostoma, which exhibits extreme sexual dimorphism: males possess elongated, torpedo-shaped heads with long antennae, while females have more conventional head proportions. Males engage in ritualized combat and courtship displays on carrion, using their modified heads in territorial battles. The genus occurs primarily in the Nearctic region, with some species distributed in the Palearctic.
Prochyliza brevicornis
cheese skipper
Prochyliza brevicornis is a species of cheese skipper in the family Piophilidae. Like other members of this family, its larvae are known for their distinctive "skipping" locomotion, achieved by grasping their posterior end with their mouthparts and suddenly releasing to catapult themselves away from threats. The species is part of a group commonly associated with decomposing fatty tissues, particularly in cheese and carrion.
Prochyliza nigrimana
Prochyliza nigrimana is a species of cheese skipper in the family Piophilidae, a group known for larvae that can propel themselves by curling into a loop and releasing suddenly. The species was described by Meigen in 1826. Like other members of the genus Prochyliza, it is associated with carrion and decomposing animal matter.
Prochyliza varipes
waltzing fly
Prochyliza varipes is a species of piophilid fly commonly known as the waltzing fly. Males exhibit pronounced sexual dimorphism with elongated, conical heads and long antennae used in territorial combat. The species is associated with carrion, particularly decomposing animal remains. It is most active in early spring, often appearing when melting snow exposes winter-killed animals.
Protopiophila
cheese skipper, antler fly
Protopiophila is a genus of piophilid flies commonly known as cheese skippers or antler flies. The genus comprises eleven described species distributed across multiple continents. Some species, particularly P. litigata, have become model organisms for studying sexual selection and life history evolution due to their specialized breeding ecology on discarded cervid antlers. Other species such as P. latipes utilize decomposing animal carcasses as breeding substrates. The genus exhibits notable behavioral diversity in mating systems and larval ecology.
Stearibia
Stearibia is a genus of small flies in the family Piophilidae (Diptera). Species in this genus are forensically important, having been documented on human corpses during advanced stages of decomposition. The genus was established by Lioy in 1864 and includes Stearibia nigriceps, which has been confirmed from medicolegal investigations using DNA barcoding.