Satellite-fly
Guides
Amobia
Amobia is a genus of satellite flies in the family Sarcophagidae, subfamily Miltogramminae. These dipterans are obligate kleptoparasites of solitary wasps and bees, with females depositing larvae directly into host nests rather than laying eggs. The genus occurs across multiple continents including Australia, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, with species demonstrating specificity toward particular host taxa such as eumenid wasps (Anterhynchium, Orancistrocerus) and various solitary bees and wasps.
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.
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 argyrocephala
satellite fly
Metopia argyrocephala is a kleptoparasitic satellite fly in the family Sarcophagidae. Unlike most kleptoparasitic flies that specialize on either bees or wasps, this species has been documented developing in nests of both hymenopteran groups. Adult females follow host wasps or bees to their nests and deposit larvae at the entrance, which then crawl inside to parasitize the host's brood. The species is native to Europe and has been recorded across northern Europe including Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
Metopia sinipalpis
Metopia sinipalpis is a species of satellite fly in the family Sarcophagidae, subfamily Miltogramminae. The genus Metopia comprises kleptoparasitic flies whose larvae parasitize the nests of solitary wasps. Like other members of this genus, M. sinipalpis likely targets burrowing wasps, with females following host wasps to their nests to deposit larvae. The species was described by Allen in 1926 and is recorded from Brazil (Santa Catarina) and the United States.
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.
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.
Senotainia
satellite flies
Senotainia is a genus of satellite flies in the family Sarcophagidae, subfamily Miltogramminae, containing over 70 described species. These flies are kleptoparasites and parasitoids primarily associated with solitary wasps and bees. Species such as Senotainia tricuspis are significant pests of honey bees (Apis mellifera), causing senotainiosis through larviparous parasitism. Other species including S. vigilans and S. trilineata parasitize thread-waisted wasps and other fossorial hymenopterans. The genus exhibits a distinctive reproductive strategy where females deposit live first-instar larvae directly onto hosts or at nest entrances rather than laying eggs.
Senotainia trilineata
Three-lined satellite fly
Senotainia trilineata is a satellite fly in the family Sarcophagidae, subfamily Miltogramminae. It is a kleptoparasitic fly that targets the nests of solitary wasps, particularly species in the families Crabronidae and Sphecidae. The female fly deposits live larvae (larviposits) on or near paralyzed prey being transported by host wasps, or directly at nest entrances. The fly larvae then consume the provisioned prey intended for the wasp's offspring. This species has been documented as a parasite of multiple wasp genera including Ammophila, Cerceris, Hoplisoides, and Aphilanthops, and has also been recorded parasitizing the jewel beetle Phaenops vandykei.
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 tergata
satellite fly
Sphenometopa tergata is a satellite fly in the family Sarcophagidae, subfamily Miltogramminae. It is known to parasitize the nests of ant-queen kidnapping wasps in the genus Aphilanthops, particularly A. frigidus. The species has been observed loitering near nest aggregations of these solitary wasps, suggesting kleptoparasitic or parasitoid behavior. Its taxonomic history includes transfer from the genus Araba to Sphenometopa.
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.