1. Muscidae and Other Families
February 18, 2008

9. Sarcophagidae Flesh flies >2000 species
Larvae of most species breed in meat
Difficult to ID species--usually genitalia
Large mm
Grey and black, stripes and checkerboard

10. Sarcophagidae Global distribution Sarcophaga haemorrhordalis
Mostly attracted to carrion
Fly in rain, may be first to reach corpse
Otherwise arrive after blowflies
Feces

11. Sarcophagidae Females deposit live 1st instar larvae
viviparous or larviviparous
Approx per female
At the moment, not commonly used in investigations

12. Muscidae Large fly group
Includes number of species of economic/public health importance
House fly, face fly, stable fly, horn fly, latrine fly

13. General Adult Appearance
Frontal suture on head
3 segmented antenna with subterminal arista
Wing with 1-3 posterior cells on wing
Has large calypteres
Meron bare

14. Musca domestica House fly Everywhere there are humans 6-9 mm
Dull grey body, 4 longitudinal stripes
Wings held apart when at rest
1st attracted to excrement, follows blow flies to carrion

15. Hydrotaea sp. Dump flies All over US
Common on excrement during hot months
< 6 mm
Occurs late in succession--after 4-5 months
2nd/3rd instars facultative predators

16. Fannia sp. Lesser/little house fly, latrine fly 6-7 mm, everywhere
Dull brown to black
3 stripes on thorax
Larvae small and flat with lateral processes on each segment
Active during summer
Larvae in liquified material

17. Muscina sp. False stable flies Throughout US
Most active during summer, somewhat active year- round
8-10 mm--slightly larger than houseflies w/ heavier bodies
Pale tip on scutellum
Attracted to carrion in late stages of decay
Able to reach shallow bodies
3rd instar larvae are predaceous

18. Synthesiomyia nudiseta
7-10 mm (one of larger muscids)
Grey w/ checkered abdomen
4 longitudinal stripes
Palps on antennae yellow-orange
Terminal segment yellow (not red)
Larvae large and predaceous
Will eat C. rufifacies
Puparia in silky white substance
soil adheres

19. Sepsidae Black Scavenger Flies Adults 2.3-3.5 mm
Look like parasitic wasps
Spherical head, clear wings with dark spot at tip
Tiny maggots <5 mm
All over US, active in Texas as long as over F
Fee predominantly on dung, but sometimes on carrion

20. Piophilidae Skipper flies Gnat-like insects--< 5 mm
Shiny blue-black, lower legs yellow
Small larvae 6-9 mm
Can jump/skip
Adults found on body early, larvae late
Life cycle 11 days (or more)

21. Phoridae Scuttle Flies, coffin flies Run in jerky manner
Most active in later stages of decay
Able to dig down to coffins
~0.5 m in a few days
Can complete life cycle under ground
55 million flies--60 days

22. Any questions?