SARCOPHAGIDAE SP.
Sarcophagidae sp.
FLESH FLY FAMILY (Sarcophagidae)
Most of these flies are between 1/2 -3/4 inch (13-20 mm) in length. They have large, red eyes. The thorax is gray and black. The top of the abdomen is black and checkered with gray spots. The abdomen is gray on the sides. There are numerous long black bristles on the head and thorax, and sparse black bristles on the abdomen. The fly pictured here is in the subfamily Sarcophaginae. Adults are similar in appearance and difficult to identify to species.
This fly is probably common throughout the summer.
The 79 North American species vary greatly in habits, but the common species are mostly associated with small carrion such as insects and snails. A few use larger carcasses, and some are parasitoids of cicadas and grasshoppers. The females arrive later at a carcass than blow flies, but they lay live larvae to make up for the lost time.
Disclaimer: The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Loren Padelford.