Scuttle-fly
Guides
Aenigmatias
Aenigmatias is a genus of wingless (apterous) scuttle flies in the family Phoridae, characterized by a distinctive cockroach-like morphology. The genus was originally described from Denmark and long known from only a single specimen found beneath a stone. Subsequent records have documented species across North America (Arizona), Europe, and Asia, with a recent first record in Egypt extending the range to North Africa. The genus belongs to the subfamily Aenigmatiinae and tribe Aenigmatiini, representing an anomalous lineage within Phoridae due to its flightless condition and cryptic habits.
Apocephalus coquilletti
scuttle fly
Apocephalus coquilletti is a species of scuttle fly in the family Phoridae, first described by Malloch in 1912. The genus Apocephalus is notable for its parasitic species that attack ants, with A. coquilletti specifically documented attacking ants of the genus Camponotus. Like other phorid flies, adults are characterized by a distinctive humpbacked thorax and reduced wing venation.
Apocephalus frameatus
Apocephalus frameatus is a species of scuttle fly in the family Phoridae, described by Brown in 2002. Like other members of its genus, it is associated with ants as a host, though specific details of its biology remain undocumented. The genus Apocephalus is notable for including species that exhibit brood parasitism of ants, a behavior that has been video-documented in related species but not specifically for A. frameatus.
Diplonevra nitidula
Diplonevra nitidula is a species of scuttle fly in the family Phoridae. It belongs to the subfamily Aenigmatiinae, a group characterized by reduced wing venation and often associated with ant colonies. The species was first described by Meigen in 1830 under the basionym Phora nitidula. Records indicate presence in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
Megaselia aurea
scuttle fly
Megaselia aurea is a species of scuttle fly in the family Phoridae, one of thousands of species within the hyperdiverse genus Megaselia. Adults are very small, measuring 1–3 millimeters in length, with a characteristic humped thorax. The species exhibits distinctive mating behavior where females aggregate on leaves. Larvae develop in damp, decaying organic matter.
Megaselia barberi
scuttle fly
Megaselia barberi is a species of scuttle fly in the family Phoridae, originally described as Aphiochaeta barberi by Malloch in 1912. The genus Megaselia is extremely species-rich, containing approximately half of all described phorid fly species, with many remaining undescribed. Like other members of this genus, M. barberi is likely small-bodied and exhibits the characteristic humpbacked appearance and scuttling locomotion typical of the family.
Megaselia globipyga
Megaselia globipyga is a species of scuttle fly in the family Phoridae, described by Borgmeier in 1966. It belongs to the genus Megaselia, which contains approximately half of all described species in the Phoridae family and is characterized as a "dark taxon" due to its extreme diversity and taxonomic complexity. No specific biological or ecological information has been documented for this species.
Megaselia nantucketensis
Megaselia nantucketensis is a species of scuttle fly in the family Phoridae, described by Eiseman and Hartop in 2015. The species epithet indicates its association with Nantucket. Like other members of the genus Megaselia, it belongs to one of the most species-rich genera of flies, characterized by small body size and rapid, erratic running behavior. The species was described using modern taxonomic methods, though detailed biological information remains limited.
Megaselia rufipes
coffin fly
Megaselia rufipes, commonly known as the coffin fly, is a phorid scuttle fly species first described by Meigen in 1804. It has been recorded as a facultative parasitoid of honey bees (Apis mellifera) and as a pest of oil palm seeds. The species has a broad distribution spanning the Palearctic and Neotropical regions, with records from Europe, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, and the Azores. Its common name derives from its documented presence in cemetery crypts, where it has been collected using carrion-baited traps.
Megaselia scalaris
Scaled Hump-backed Fly, scuttle fly, coffin fly, humpbacked fly, laboratory fly
Megaselia scalaris is a small phorid fly, approximately 2–3 mm in length, widely distributed in warm regions globally. It is one of the most commonly encountered species in the family Phoridae, particularly in urban environments. The species exhibits remarkable ecological flexibility, functioning as a decomposer, facultative parasitoid, and forensic indicator. Adults display characteristic jerky running behavior, earning the common name "scuttle fly." The species has been documented in diverse contexts including coffins, decomposing carrion, termite mounds, social wasp nests, and deteriorating museum specimens.
Megaselia ventralis
scuttle fly
Megaselia ventralis is a species of phorid fly (family Phoridae) described by Borgmeier in 1963. It belongs to the genus Megaselia, which comprises approximately half of all species in the Phoridae family and is characterized as a 'dark taxon' due to its extraordinary species diversity and taxonomic complexity. The species name 'ventralis' refers to a ventral character state, though specific details of this feature are not documented in the provided sources.
Phalacrotophora epeirae
Phalacrotophora epeirae is a species of scuttle fly in the family Phoridae, originally described by Brues in 1902 under the name Phora epeirae. The genus Phalacrotophora is known for species that are parasitoids of spiders, though the specific host relationships of P. epeirae have not been documented in detail. This species belongs to a group of small, humpbacked flies characterized by their distinctive running behavior and reduced wing venation.
Puliciphora
Puliciphora is a genus of scuttle flies (Diptera: Phoridae) containing at least 110 described species. The genus occurs primarily in the Australasian and Oriental Regions, with records from Southeast Asia including Malaysia. Puliciphora species have been documented in association with decomposing animal remains, indicating potential forensic relevance. A larval parasitoid Hymenoptera has been reported from within an adult fly abdomen, representing a rare host-parasitoid interaction.
Puliciphora borinquenensis
Puliciphora borinquenensis is a species of scuttle fly in the family Phoridae, described by Wheeler in 1906. The species has been recorded from the Galápagos Islands and multiple states in Brazil, with some doubtful or rare records from Europe. As with other phorid flies, it is likely associated with decaying organic matter, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented. The species epithet references Borinquen, the indigenous Taíno name for Puerto Rico, suggesting a possible Caribbean origin for the type specimen.
Rhyncophoromyia conica
Rhyncophoromyia conica is a species of scuttle fly in the family Phoridae, subfamily Metopininae. It was described by Malloch in 1912. As with most phorid flies, detailed biological information is limited. The genus Rhyncophoromyia is part of a diverse family of small flies commonly associated with decaying organic matter and various host relationships.
Spiniphora
Spiniphora is a genus of scuttle flies (Phoridae) established by Malloch in 1909. The genus includes saprophagous species, with Spiniphora genitalis documented as a decomposer of mollusc carrion and vertebrate remains. Species in this genus complete development on decaying organic matter and have been recorded from the Oriental region, parts of the Australian region, and introduced populations in Hawaii. Larvae exhibit distinct morphological features including ventral flattening, segmented bodies with tubercles and spinulose formations, and respiratory transitions between instars.