Sarcophagidae
Pronunciation: [Sar·ko·FA·ji⋅dae]
Common Name: Flesh Flies
Description: The sarcophagids are medium-sized flies with a distinct pattern of gray and black longitudinal stripes on the thorax and a checkerboard pattern on the abdomen. The arista of the antenna is usually plumose only on its basal half (completely bare in a few species). Adults feed on nectar, fruit juices, sap, or honeydew; larvae usually feed in carrion or other decaying animal matter.
Spot ID Key Characters:
- Only basal half of antenna is plumose
- Black and gray longitudinal stripes on thorax
- Checkerboard pattern on abdomen
- Four notopleural bristles (short, long, short, long, from front to rear)
Return To:
Order: Diptera
