Small Dung Flies

Family Sphaeroceridae

Sphaerocera curvipes. Photo:Stephanie Boucher

This is a very diverse and abundant family. Adults are common around decaying organic material and are abundant in moist places. The larvae live in dung and decaying plant material and can be very abundant in rotting vegetation and mud along shorelines. Sphaeroceridae are small robust and dark coloured flies. They can be recognized by the short thick first tarsal segment on the hind leg.