Scathophagidae
Guides
Americina
Americina is a genus of dung flies in the family Scathophagidae, established by Malloch in 1923. The genus belongs to the subfamily Delininae and contains at least one described species, A. adusta. Scathophagidae, commonly known as dung flies, are predatory or coprophagous flies often associated with vertebrate dung.
Americina adusta
Americina adusta is a species of dung fly in the family Scathophagidae, first described by Loew in 1863 under the basionym Cordilura adusta. It belongs to a family whose larvae are primarily associated with dung or decaying organic matter, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented. The genus Americina is part of the subfamily Delininae.
Bucephalina megacephala
Bucephalina megacephala is a species of dung fly in the family Scathophagidae, described by Loew in 1870. The genus name refers to the enlarged head structure characteristic of this group. As a member of Scathophagidae, it belongs to a family commonly known as dung flies or predatory dung flies, which are primarily associated with decaying organic matter. The specific epithet 'megacephala' (meaning 'large-headed') indicates a prominent morphological feature of this species.
Bucephalina setipes
Bucephalina setipes is a species of dung fly in the family Scathophagidae, described by Coquillett in 1910. It belongs to the tribe Cordilurini within the subfamily Scathophaginae. The genus Bucephalina contains relatively few described species, and B. setipes appears to be rarely encountered based on limited observation records.
Ceratinostoma
Ceratinostoma is a genus of dung flies in the family Scathophagidae, established by Meade in 1885. The genus contains at least one described species, C. ostiorum. These flies belong to a family whose larvae primarily develop in dung or decaying organic matter. The genus has been recorded from northern Europe including Norway and Sweden.
Ceratinostoma ostiorum
Large Shore Dung Fly
Ceratinostoma ostiorum is a shore fly in the family Scathophagidae, commonly known as the Large Shore Dung Fly. It occurs in coastal habitats of northwestern Europe, where it has been recorded from Belgium, the British Isles, Norway, and Sweden. The species belongs to a small genus of dung-associated flies that inhabit intertidal and shoreline environments.
Chaetosa
Chaetosa is a genus of small to medium-sized predatory flies in the family Scathophagidae, established by Coquillett in 1898. The genus comprises at least two described species: Chaetosa punctipes (Meigen, 1826) and Chaetosa churchilli Malloch, 1931. These flies are distributed across parts of northern Europe, with records from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
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-biologyCordilura
Cordilura is a large genus of dung flies (Scathophagidae) comprising approximately 90 species worldwide. The genus is primarily distributed across the Holarctic region, with the greatest diversity in the Palaearctic and Nearctic regions. Larvae are known to serve as prey for predatory insects such as Orthacheta hirtipes.
Cordilura confusa
Cordilura confusa is a species of dung fly in the family Scathophagidae, described by Loew in 1863. The genus Cordilura comprises flies commonly associated with wetland and riparian habitats. As with other members of Scathophagidae, adults are predatory. The species name "confusa" suggests historical taxonomic uncertainty, though specific details about the nature of this confusion are not documented in available sources.
Cordilura intermedia
Cordilura intermedia is a species of dung fly in the family Scathophagidae, described by Curran in 1927. Members of this genus are associated with moist, organic-rich habitats where their larvae develop. The species is poorly documented in public sources, with only two observations recorded on iNaturalist. Like other scathophagid flies, it likely plays a role in nutrient cycling through decomposition processes.
Cordilura luteola
Cordilura luteola is a species of dung fly in the family Scathophagidae, described by Malloch in 1924. The genus Cordilura comprises flies typically associated with wetland and riparian habitats where their larvae develop in decaying organic matter. As a member of the Scathophagidae, this species is part of a family whose common name "dung flies" reflects the larval habit of developing in animal feces and other decomposing substrates, though many species also utilize decaying plant matter and algae in moist environments.
Cordilura munda
Cordilura munda is a species of dung fly in the family Scathophagidae, first described by Friedrich Hermann Loew in 1870. The species belongs to the tribe Cordilurini within the subfamily Scathophaginae. As a member of this family, it is associated with dung and decaying organic matter habitats. Specific ecological details remain poorly documented in published literature.
Cordilura proboscidea
Cordilura proboscidea is a species of dung fly in the family Scathophagidae, first described by Zetterstedt in 1838. The genus Cordilura belongs to the tribe Cordilurini within the subfamily Scathophaginae. Members of this family are commonly known as dung flies due to their frequent association with dung and other decaying organic matter. Distribution records indicate presence in Norway and Sweden.
Cordilura scapularis
Cordilura scapularis is a species of dung fly in the family Scathophagidae, a group of flies commonly known as yellow dung flies or dung flies. The species was described by Loew in 1870. Like other members of Scathophagidae, this species is associated with dung and other decomposing organic matter, though specific ecological details for this particular species remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Cordilura setosa
Cordilura setosa is a species of dung fly in the family Scathophagidae, described by Loew in 1860. Members of this family are commonly known as dung flies due to their frequent association with dung and other decaying organic matter. The specific epithet "setosa" refers to the setose (bristly) nature of this species. As with other scathophagids, adults are likely predatory or feed on nectar, while larvae develop in decomposing substrates.
Ernoneura
Ernoneura is a genus of flies in the family Scathophagidae, commonly known as dung flies. The genus was established by Becker in 1894 and is classified within the subfamily Scathophaginae. It contains relatively few described species and is poorly represented in collections and observations.
Ernoneura argus
Ernoneura argus is a species of dung fly in the family Scathophagidae, first described by Zetterstedt in 1838 under the basionym Scatomyza argus. It belongs to a family whose larvae typically develop in dung and decaying organic matter. The species has been recorded in Norway and Sweden based on distribution data.
Gimnomera cerea
Gimnomera cerea is a Nearctic dung fly (family Scathophagidae) with a highly specialized life history tied to its host plant, Pedicularis canadensis. The species has a single annual generation synchronized to the flowering phenology of this hemiparasitic plant. Larvae are herbivorous, feeding on ovules and capsules, while adults of both sexes are predaceous on small insects. The species undergoes protracted diapause in soil puparia, an adaptation likely linked to the ephemeral availability of host plant reproductive tissues.
Gimnomera tibialis
Gimnomera tibialis is a species of dung fly in the family Scathophagidae, originally described as Dasypleuron tibialis by Malloch in 1919. The species belongs to a genus of flies associated with dung and decomposing organic matter. As a member of Scathophagidae, it is part of a family commonly known as dung flies or yellow dung flies, though detailed ecological and behavioral information specific to this species remains limited in available sources.
Hydromyza
Hydromyza is a genus of dung flies in the family Scathophagidae, established by Fallén in 1813. The genus contains at least three described species: H. confluens, H. glabra, and H. livens. Members of this genus are found in northern Europe, with records from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. As scathophagid flies, they are associated with dung habitats, though specific ecological details remain limited.
Hydromyza confluens
dung fly
Hydromyza confluens is a species of dung fly in the family Scathophagidae, described by Loew in 1863. The species belongs to a family whose larvae typically develop in dung or decaying organic matter, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in accessible literature. Available sources provide only basic taxonomic information without substantive data on its ecology, behavior, or life history.
Leptopa
Leptopa is a genus of scathophagid flies (Diptera: Scathophagidae) established by Zetterstedt in 1838. The genus was recently resurrected as a senior synonym of Parallelomma (Ozerov & Krivosheina, 2023). It occurs primarily in the Palearctic region, with documented species from Japan, Korea, and northern Europe including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. At least four species are recognized from Japan, including two recently described species: L. kanmiyai and L. yezonica. The genus belongs to the subfamily Delininae within the dung fly family Scathophagidae.
Neochirosia nuda
Neochirosia nuda is a species of dung fly in the family Scathophagidae. Unlike most members of its family, it is not associated with dung but instead has been documented as a leaf miner. The species exhibits a univoltine life cycle, producing one generation per year. It has been recorded from the northeastern United States.
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.
Plethochaeta varicolor
Plethochaeta varicolor is a species of dung fly in the family Scathophagidae, first described by Coquillett in 1901. The genus Plethochaeta is a small group within the Scathophagidae, a family commonly known as dung flies or yellow dung flies due to their association with dung and other decaying organic matter. Very few observations of this species exist in public databases, suggesting it is either genuinely rare, undercollected, or restricted to specific habitats. The specific epithet "varicolor" likely refers to variable coloration, though original description details are not widely accessible.
Scathophaga
Dung Flies, Yellow Dung Flies
Scathophaga is a genus of small to medium-sized predatory flies in the family Scathophagidae, commonly known as dung flies. The genus includes approximately 99 described species, with Scathophaga stercoraria (the yellow dung fly) being the most extensively studied as a model organism in behavioral ecology and evolutionary biology. Adults are typically found in association with animal dung, where they engage in complex mating systems involving intense male-male competition and female mate choice. Larvae develop within dung or decaying organic matter, where they feed predaciously on other insect larvae.
Scathophaga crinita
Scathophaga crinita is a species of dung fly in the family Scathophagidae. It is one of approximately 30 species in the genus Scathophaga, a group commonly known as dung flies. Members of this genus are typically associated with animal feces, where adults feed and females lay eggs. The larvae develop in dung, playing a role in decomposition.
Scathophaga intermedia
Scathophaga intermedia is a species of dung fly in the family Scathophagidae, first described by Walker in 1849. The genus Scathophaga contains predatory flies commonly associated with dung and other organic matter. As a member of this genus, S. intermedia likely shares the family's characteristic biology of larval development in dung and predatory adult behavior, though species-specific details remain poorly documented in available sources.
Scathophaga spurca
Scathophaga spurca is a species of dung fly in the family Scathophagidae, order Diptera. The genus Scathophaga includes species commonly known as dung flies, with the well-known Scathophaga stercoraria (golden dung fly) being a familiar example. S. spurca was described by Meigen in 1826 and is currently accepted as a valid species. Distribution records indicate presence in Norway and Sweden.
Spaziphora
Spaziphora is a genus of small to medium-sized predatory flies in the family Scathophagidae. The genus contains at least three described species, including the widespread S. hydromyzina. Members are found in northern Europe, with records from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. As scathophagid flies, they are associated with dung and decaying organic matter habitats where they hunt as larvae.
Spaziphora cincta
Spaziphora cincta is a species of dung fly in the family Scathophagidae, first described by Loew in 1863 under the basionym Cordilura cincta. The species belongs to a genus whose members are associated with dung and decomposing organic matter. Like other scathophagid flies, adults are predatory while larvae develop in dung.
Synchysa tricincta
Synchysa tricincta is a species of dung fly in the family Scathophagidae, originally described as Coenosia tricincta by Loew in 1869. The species is accepted and has been recorded from Vermont and other parts of the United States. As a member of Scathophagidae, it is likely associated with dung or decaying organic matter habitats, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented in available sources.