Flesh Flies

Family Sarcophagidae

Ravinia lherminieri. Photo:Stephanie Boucher

Most larvae are scavengers and live in carrion, decaying organic matter, or dung. Some species feed on living tissues and will invade wounds. Some are internal parasites of other insects especially beetles and grasshoppers, and a few are internal parasites of vertebrates, including humans. Others are associated with the nests of bees and wasps and eat the materials stored for the developing host larvae. Sarcophagidae are medium to large sized, robust flies, usually black with gray stripes on the thorax. The calypters at the base of the wings are well developed.