Sepsidae
Guides
Orygma
Orygma is a monotypic European genus of flies in the family Sepsidae, established by Meigen in 1830. The sole species, Orygma luctuosum, is associated with coastal wrack zones where its larvae develop in decaying seaweed and marine debris. The genus is classified in the subfamily Orygmatinae, reflecting its distinct ecological specialization within the Sepsidae.
Saltella
Saltella is a genus of small flies in the family Sepsidae. The genus includes five described species, with Saltella sphondylii being the most studied due to its unusual mating behavior. Research on this species has revealed significant costs of copulation to male longevity, making it a model organism for studying sexual conflict and the evolution of mating systems.
Sciomyzoidea
Kelp, Marsh, Thick-headed Flies and Allies
Sciomyzoidea is a superfamily of acalyptrate flies (Diptera: Acalyptratae) comprising at least 11 families, including the well-known Sciomyzidae (snail-killing or marsh flies), Sepsidae (scavenger flies), and Coelopidae (seaweed flies). The superfamily exhibits diverse ecological specializations, with some families associated with marine or coastal habitats and others with freshwater or terrestrial environments. The family Sciomyzidae is particularly notable for its larval predation and parasitism on gastropods.
Sepsis
black scavenger flies, ensign flies
Sepsis is a genus of small flies in the family Sepsidae, commonly known as black scavenger flies or ensign flies. These flies are characterized by their distinctive wing-waving behavior and association with decaying organic matter. The genus contains numerous species distributed across temperate and tropical regions worldwide. Adults are typically black with silvery or metallic markings and possess a characteristic humpbacked appearance.
Themira annulipes
Themira annulipes is a European species of black scavenger fly in the family Sepsidae. It is a small dipteran known from records in Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. As a member of Sepsidae, it likely shares the family's characteristic behavior of frequenting dung and decaying organic matter, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited in available sources.
Themira nigricornis
black scavenger fly
Themira nigricornis is a species of black scavenger fly in the family Sepsidae, first described by Meigen in 1826. It is native to Europe with records across western, central, eastern, and northern regions, and has been introduced to the Nearctic region including the United States. The species was first documented in south-eastern Europe in 2014 from an urban site in Bucharest, Romania, representing the southernmost European location for the species. Adults are necrophagous and have been observed on decomposing animal carcasses.