Sarcophagidae
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 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 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.
Chrysops cincticornis
Ring-clawed Deer Fly
Chrysops cincticornis is a deer fly in the family Tabanidae, first described by Walker in 1848. It is commonly known as the Ring-clawed Deer Fly. The species has been documented in Vermont and other parts of the United States, with 291 observations recorded on iNaturalist. Research on this species has focused on its oviposition behavior and fecundity, with laboratory studies showing females deposit eggs in gelatinous masses on mud substrates near water, averaging 156 eggs per female.
deer-flyTabanidaeDipteramedical-entomologyovipositionfecundityring-clawed-deer-flyVermontUnited-Statesmud-substrategelatinous-egg-massChrysopsinaeChrysopsiniWalker-1848iNaturalistlaboratory-rearingegg-mass156-eggsrange-42-312near-watermud-like-substrateegg-depositionreproductionbehavioral-studymedical-entomology-researchinsect-vectorsbiting-fliestabanid-flieshorse-fliesdeer-fliesChrysopsNorth-AmericaNew-Englandobservation-recordssynonym-status-in-Catalogue-of-Lifeaccepted-status-in-GBIFarthropodinsectflyBrachyceraTabanomorphaHexapodaPterygotaAnimaliaArthropodaInsectacincticornisChrysops-cincticornis-Walker-1848Chrysops-(Chrysops)-cincticornisdeerflyhorseflytabanidbiting-flyvectoroviposition-behaviorfecundity-studyJournal-of-Medical-Entomology198210.1093/jmedent/19.5.597gelatinous-secretionmudwaterlaboratory-conditionsmean-fecundityegg-productionreproductive-biologyentomologyinsect-behaviorinsect-reproductiondipterantrue-flytwo-winged-flynematoceranCyclorrhaphaAschizaSchizophoraAcalyptrataeCalyptrataeOestroideaMuscoideaHippoboscoideaGlossinidaeCalliphoridaeSarcophagidaeMuscidaeFanniidaeAnthomyiidaeScathophagidaeOestridaeTachinidaeSiphonapteraPhthirapteraHemipteraColeopteraLepidopteraHymenopteraNeuropteraMegalopteraRaphidiopteraTrichopteraStrepsipteraMecopteraDipluraProturaCollembolaZygentomaArchaeognathaEphemeropteraOdonataPlecopteraGrylloblattodeaMantophasmatodeaPhasmatodeaOrthopteraDermapteraEmbiopteraZorapteraIsopteraBlattodeaMantodeaPhyllodocidaNotopteraWalker1848speciestaxongelatinoushabitatdistributionGBIFCatalogue-of-LifeNCBIlaboratory-studybehaviorlife-cyclesubstratemud-likemeanrange42-312femaleobservationrecordspecimencollectionmuseumresearchstudyarticleabstractDOIbiologyecologyhorse-flyacceptedsynonymtaxonomyclassificationUS291-observationslaboratory291-iNaturalist-observationsGBIF-distribution-recordsaccepted-species-statussynonym-in-Catalogue-of-Life156-eggs-mean-fecundityrange-42-312-eggs1982-Journal-of-Medical-Entomology-publicationDOI-10.1093/jmedent/19.5.597entomology-researchdipteran-biologyEuphyto
Euphyto is a genus of flies in the family Sarcophagidae, subfamily Miltogramminae. Members of this genus are parasitoid flies that develop in the nests of solitary bees and wasps. The genus was established by Townsend in 1908. Miltogrammine flies are known for their kleptoparasitic or parasitoid lifestyle, laying eggs in or near host provisions.
Fletcherimyia
Fletcherimyia is a genus of flesh flies in the family Sarcophagidae, established by Townsend in 1917. The genus belongs to the subfamily Sarcophaginae and is part of the diverse assemblage of necrophagous and parasitoid flies within this family. Very few observations exist in public databases, with records limited to the United States.
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.
Macronychia
satellite flies
Macronychia is a genus of satellite flies in the family Sarcophagidae, first described by Rondani in 1859. The genus comprises at least 20 described species. These flies are kleptoparasitic, meaning they exploit the food resources or nesting provisions of other organisms rather than collecting their own. They are associated with solitary bees and wasps, where they lay eggs in or near host nests.
Metopia
satellite flies
Metopia is a genus of kleptoparasitic flies in the family Sarcophagidae, subfamily Miltogramminae, commonly known as 'satellite flies.' The genus contains at least 50 described species. Adult females are known to follow solitary wasps back to their nest burrows, where they deposit live larvae at the entrance. These larvae then enter the burrow and parasitize the wasp larvae or their provisioned prey. This behavior has been documented with hosts including beewolves (Philanthus), thread-waisted wasps (Ammophila), and ant-queen kidnappers (Aphilanthops).
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-cicadaTibicenAbrictaAmphipsaltaAruntaAustrotomaAyuthiaBaeturiaBalintaBasaBrevisanaCacamaCalyriaCicadatraCicadettaCicadivettaCosmopsaltriaCyclochilaDiceroproctaDundubiaEuterpnosiaFidicinaFidicinoidesGaeanaHenicopsaltriaHerreraHuechysHyalessaHylocicadaJassopsaltriaKikihiaLembejaLemurianaMacrotristriaMaoricicadaMoganniaMudaMyerscicadaNeopsaltriaNotopsaltaOkanaganaOkanagodesOligoglenaOnoralnaOudeboschiaPacarinaPahariaPalapsaltaPauropsaltaPictilaPlatypleuraPomponiaPsaltodaPterapsaltaQuesadaQuintiliaRaiateanaSaticulaSemiaSonotympanaSoudaniellaTaipingaTannaTerpnosiaTettigadesTettigettaThophaTibicinaTosenaTryellaUradolichosVenustriaXeropsaltaYezoterpnosiaZammaraZaphsaPapilio thoas
Thoas swallowtail, King swallowtail
Papilio thoas is a large swallowtail butterfly distributed across the Neotropics from Mexico through Central America to South America. The species exhibits typical papilionid characteristics including prominent tail-like extensions on the hindwings. Larvae have been reared on Piper aduncum in laboratory conditions, though natural host plant associations in the wild require further confirmation. The species is subject to parasitism by sarcophagid flies during the pupal stage.
Paramacronychiinae
Paramacronychiinae is a subfamily of flesh flies within the family Sarcophagidae. The subfamily contains 23 genera and at least 32 species in China alone. Members include necrophagous species and some that cause myiasis in mammals. The group has been studied for forensic entomology applications due to carrion associations.
Phrosinella aldrichi
Phrosinella aldrichi is a species of satellite fly in the family Sarcophagidae, subfamily Miltogramminae. The species was described by Allen in 1926. Like other miltogrammine flies, it is known to parasitize the nests of solitary wasps. It has been specifically reported as a parasite of the nests of the sand wasp Clitemnestra bipunctata (formerly Ochleroptera bipunctata), where adult females enter burrows and deposit live larvae that feed on paralyzed prey stored by the host wasp.
Phrosinella aurifacies
Phrosinella aurifacies is a satellite fly in the family Sarcophagidae, subfamily Miltogramminae. It is known as a kleptoparasite of the sand wasp Clitemnestra bipunctata. Adult females enter wasp burrows and deposit live larvae that feed on the paralyzed prey stored by the host wasp, often destroying the wasp egg or larva in the process. The species was described by Downes in 1985.
Phrosinella fulvicornis
Phrosinella fulvicornis is a species of satellite fly in the family Sarcophagidae, subfamily Miltogramminae. It was originally described as Gymnoprosopa fulvicornis by Coquillett in 1895 and later transferred to the genus Phrosinella. The species has been documented as a nest parasite of the digger wasp Clitemnestra bipunctata. As a member of the Miltogramminae, it exhibits the kleptoparasitic life history typical of this group, with adult females entering host nests to deposit larvae on stored prey.
Rafaelia
Rafaelia is a genus of flesh flies in the family Sarcophagidae, established by Townsend in 1917. The genus contains nine described extant species distributed primarily in the Americas, with records from the United States, Mexico, and Central America. Species within this genus are characterized by their association with the Sarcophagidae family, commonly known as flesh flies due to the typical feeding habits of their larvae. The genus has been documented through museum collections and limited field observations.
Rafaelia 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
Ravinia is a genus of flesh flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) established by Robineau-Desvoidy in 1863. Species within this genus exhibit diverse life history strategies: some are predators of other dipteran larvae in cattle dung, while others have forensic importance. Larvae of at least one species, Ravinia lherminieri, demonstrate strong host resistance to nematode parasitism through haemocytic encapsulation. The genus has been recorded in North America, Europe (Denmark, Norway, Sweden), and Brazil.
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 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 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 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.
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.
Senotainia vigilans
satellite fly
Senotainia vigilans is a satellite fly in the family Sarcophagidae, subfamily Miltogramminae. The species is a known parasite of solitary wasp nests, particularly those of the thread-waisted wasp Ammophila procera. Female flies follow prey-laden female wasps back to their burrows and deposit live larvae at the nest entrance. These larvae then enter the burrow and parasitize the developing wasp larvae. The species was described by Allen in 1924.
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.
Taxigramma
satellite flies
Taxigramma is a genus of satellite flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae: Miltogramminae) comprising approximately 18 described species globally. Eight species are documented from China, with recent taxonomic work clarifying their distributions and providing first records for several species. Members of this genus are kleptoparasites that exploit other insects, particularly bees.
Taxigramma hilarella
Taxigramma hilarella is a species of satellite fly in the family Sarcophagidae, subfamily Miltogramminae. These flies are kleptoparasites that target the nests of solitary wasps, particularly beewolves (Philanthus spp.). Females follow host wasps back to their burrows and deposit larvae at the nest entrance; the larvae then enter and parasitize the wasp larvae. The species has been recorded from Scandinavia and Denmark.
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.
Tripanurga
Tripanurga is a genus of flesh flies (Sarcophagidae) containing species that exploit buried carrion resources. The best-documented species, Tripanurga importuna, is a habitat specialist capable of locating and developing in carrion buried in sand. Members of this genus are food opportunists that can develop on various buried carrion sources, including vertebrate eggs.
Tripanurga importuna
Tripanurga importuna is a sarcophagid fly specialized in locating and developing in carrion buried in sand. The species has a documented facultative association with freshwater turtle nests, where females deposit larvae primarily during hatching periods. Larvae preferentially scavenge necrotic tissue and damaged eggs, but will opportunistically prey upon live embryos and hatchlings. The species is considered a habitat specialist but food opportunist, capable of developing on various buried carrion sources.
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.