Red-Tailed Flesh Fly ( A True Fly)
Sarcophaga haemorrhoidalis
29.1596, -81.9692
Field Notes
Description:
Flesh fly: I went downstairs early in the morning, and I saw an insect resting on a wall, on the inside of my house. It had two, large, red, compound eyes, and two, clear, transparent wings. It had two, short antennae, and six, jointed legs. It had a red bulge, at the end of its abdomen. It had black and gray longitudinal stripes, on its thorax, and checkering on its abdomen. This was a flesh fly. Flesh flies are 'true flies'. ( Diptera ) True flies, have only two wings. Diptera: two wings. Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Diptera Family: Sarcophagidae Genus: Sarcophaga Species: S. haemorrhoidalis They are gray, and have a checkerboard pattern on the top of there abdomen, and three black stripes running along the top surface of there thorax, just behind the head ( house flies have four ), and sometimes a red bulge, at the end of its abdomen. Sarcophaga haemorrhoidalis, commonly known as the red-tailed flesh fly, is a member of the family Sarcrophagidae, the flesh flies. Adults: The adults of S. haemorrhoidalis, resemble house flies ( Family Muscidae ) in there general appearance, but are larger and more robust, ranging from 8 to 14 mm in length. Sarcophagid flies, can also be differentiated from muscid flies, by the presence of three dark longitudinal stripes on the thorax, instead of four. There abdomen, has a distinct checkerboard-like pattern. Like many other Sarcophagids, they have large, compound eyes, and the aristae of the antennae, are long, and are plumose at the base. Flesh flies, appear to prefer sunlight over shaded conditions. All members of the family Sarcophagidae, are larviparous or ovoviviparous. S. haemorrhoidalis, undergoes complete metamorphosis, and goes through four life stages. This insect is alive, and able to move.
Habitat:
They can be found in open areas, like fields, parks, meadows and parking lots. They may also be found in backyards and forests. Flesh flies, are common around the globe. They are outdoor flies, preferring the intersect, where dung/decaying plants/decaying flesh, meet daylight. Flesh flies are found in urban and rural communities, but, unfortunately, are relatively uncommon in houses and restaurants. They breed in excrement, decaying vegetable matter, and animal flesh or meat. Flesh flies are worldwide in distribution, and are found in most regions of the United States. Areas around the home with rotting matter, such as garbage cans, compost piles, animal droppings, and animal carcasses, can attract flesh flies. Flesh flies, frequently infest industrial buildings like meat processing and packing facilities. Flesh flies, feed on liquid substances, and may infest wounds, carrion, and excrement. Flesh flies, may be found around carrion, feces, trash ( esp. landfills ), and near grasshoppers.
Notes:
I went downstairs early in the morning, and I saw an insect, resting on a wall, on the inside of my house. It had two, large, red, compound eyes, and two, clear, transparent wings. It had two short antennae, and six, jointed legs. It had a red bulge, at the end of its abdomen. It had a black and gray longitudinal stripes, on its thorax, and checkering on its abdomen. This was a flesh fly. This insect was alive, and able to move.
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