Muscidae are a family of

flies Flies are insects of the Order (biology), order Diptera, the name being derived from the Ancient Greek, Greek δι- ''di-'' "two", and πτερόν ''pteron'' "wing". Insects of this order use only a single pair of wings to fly, the hindwing ...

found in the superfamily Muscoidea. Muscidae, some of which are commonly known as

house flies The housefly (''Musca domestica'') is a fly of the suborder Cyclorrhapha. It is believed to have evolved in the Cenozoic Era, possibly in the Middle East, and has spread all over the world as a commensal of humans. It is the most common fly ...

stable flies ''Stomoxys calcitrans'' is commonly called the stable fly, barn fly, biting house fly, dog fly, or power mower fly. Unlike most members of the family Muscidae, ''Stomoxys calcitrans'' ('sharp mouth' + 'kicking') and others of its genus suck bl ...

due to their synanthropy, are worldwide in distribution and contain almost 4,000 described species in over 100 genera. Most species are not synanthropic. Adults can be predatory, hematophagous,

saprophagous Saprotrophic nutrition or lysotrophic nutrition is a process of chemoheterotrophic extracellular digestion involved in the processing of decayed (dead or waste) organic matter. It occurs in saprotrophs, and is most often associated with fungi ...

, or feed on a number of types of plant and animal exudates. They can be attracted to various substances including sugar, sweat, tear

and blood. Larvae occur in various habitats including decaying vegetation, dry and wet soil, nests of insects and birds, fresh water, and carrion. The Housefly, housefly, ''Musca domestica'', is the best known and most important species. Some, from the genera '' Hydrotaea'' and '' Muscina'', are involved in forensic case studies.aces the linkCluichí

Identifying characteristics

The antennae are three-segmented and aristate; vein Rs is two-branched, a frontal suture is present, and the

calypter A calypter is either of two posterior lobes of the posterior margin of the forewing of flies between the extreme posterior wing base and the alula, which covers the halteres. The lower calypter is the proximal calypter (synonyms: squama (of ...

s are well developed. The

arista Arista may refer to: Organizations *Arista Networks, a software defined networking company *Arista Records, an American record label, division of Sony Music **Arista Nashville, a record label specializing in country music *Arista (honor society) ...

is often plumose for the entire length. The hypopleuron is usually without bristles; generally, more than one sternopleural bristle is present. The R5 cell is either parallel-sided or narrowed distally. Vein 2A is short and does not reach the wing margin. The Fanniidae, which used to be a subfamily (Fanniinae) of the Muscidae, share these characters, but may be separated from them by the absence of the identifying characteristics for the family Fanniidae.

Biology

Larvae mainly develop in decaying plant material or manure.

Health and economic importance

Adults of many species are passive vectors of pathogens for diseases such as

typhoid fever Typhoid fever, also known as typhoid, is a disease caused by '' Salmonella'' serotype Typhi bacteria. Symptoms vary from mild to severe, and usually begin six to 30 days after exposure. Often there is a gradual onset of a high fever over severa ...

dysentery Dysentery (UK pronunciation: , US: ), historically known as the bloody flux, is a type of gastroenteritis that results in bloody diarrhea. Other symptoms may include fever, abdominal pain, and a feeling of incomplete defecation. Complication ...

anthrax Anthrax is an infection caused by the bacterium '' Bacillus anthracis''. It can occur in four forms: skin, lungs, intestinal, and injection. Symptom onset occurs between one day and more than two months after the infection is contracted. The s ...

, and African sleeping sickness. Larvae of some '' Atherigona'' species are important pests in cultivation of cereals, like rice and maize.

Evolution

Seven species in six described genera have been recorded from the fossil record. Lambrecht (1980: 369) estimated that the family Muscidae originated as long ago as the

Permian The Permian ( ) is a geologic period and stratigraphic system which spans 47 million years from the end of the Carboniferous Period million years ago (Mya), to the beginning of the Triassic Period 251.9 Mya. It is the last period of the Pale ...

, although no fossil record exists for the family any older than the

Eocene The Eocene ( ) Epoch is a geological epoch that lasted from about 56 to 33.9 million years ago (mya). It is the second epoch of the Paleogene Period in the modern Cenozoic Era. The name ''Eocene'' comes from the Ancient Greek (''ēṓs'', " ...

Genera

List of genera according to the

Catalogue of Life The Catalogue of Life is an online database that provides an index of known species of animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms. It was created in 2001 as a partnership between the global Species 2000 and the American Integrated Taxonomic I ...

: * '' Adia'' * '' Aethiopomyia'' * '' Afromydaea'' * '' Agenamyia'' * '' Albertinella'' * '' Alluaudinella'' * '' Altimyia'' * ''

Amicitia ''Amicitia'' is the Latin for friendship, either between individuals, between the state and an individual or between states. It was "a technical term of Roman political life" from the 2nd century BC, when, according to Seneca, it was introduced ...

'' * '' Anaphalantus'' * '' Andersonosia'' * '' Anthocoenosia'' * '' Apsil'' * ''

Arthurella ''Arthurella'' is a genus of flies Flies are insects of the Order (biology), order Diptera, the name being derived from the Ancient Greek, Greek δι- ''di-'' "two", and πτερόν ''pteron'' "wing". Insects of this order use only a sin ...

'' * '' Atelia'' * '' Atherigona'' * '' Auria'' * ''

Azelia ''Azelia'' is a genus of flies belonging to the family Muscidae. Species *''Azelia aterrima'' ( Meigen, 1826) *''Azelia cilipes'' ( Haliday, 1838) *''Azelia fasciata'' (Emden, 1951) *''Azelia gibbera'' ( Meigen, 1826) *''Azelia monodactyla'' ...

'' * '' Balioglutum'' * '' Beccimyia'' * '' Biopyrellia'' * '' Bithoracochaeta'' * '' Brachygasterina'' * '' Brevicosta'' * '' Bruceomyia'' * ''

Bryantina ''Bryantina'' is a monotypic genus of flies belonging to the family Muscidae. The only species is ''Bryantina javensis''. References {{Taxonbar, from=Q107035685 Muscidae Monotypic Diptera genera ...

'' * '' Buccophaonia'' * '' Calliphoroides'' * '' Camptotarsopoda'' * '' Caricea'' * '' Cariocamyia'' * '' Cephalispa'' * '' Chaetagenia'' * '' Chaetopapuaia'' * '' Chaetophaonia'' * '' Charadrella'' * '' Chortinus'' * ''

Coenosia ''Coenosia'' is a very large genus of true flies of the family Muscidae. In Denmark, fungi ''Strongwellsea tigrinae'' and ''Strongwellsea acerosa'' (from the ''Strongwellsea'' genus, order Entomophthorales) infect the flying hosts from the ...

'' * ''

Cordilura ''Cordilura'' is a genus of dung flies in the family Scathophagidae. There are more than 90 described species in ''Cordilura''. Species These 97 species belong to the genus ''Cordilura'': * '' Cordilura aberrans'' (Becker, 1894) * '' Cordilura ...

'' * '' Cordiluroides'' * '' Correntosia'' * '' Crucianella'' * '' Curranosia'' * '' Cypselodopteryx'' * '' Cyrtoneurina'' * ''

Dasyphora ''Dasyphora'' is a genus from the fly family Muscidae. There are currently 1,148 recorded instances of this fly by human observation, material sample, preserved specimen, or unknown source. The majority of these records are in northern North Amer ...

'' * '' Deltotus'' * '' Dichaetomyia'' * '' Dimorphia'' * '' Dolichophaonia'' * '' Drepanocnemis'' * '' Drymeia'' * '' Eginia'' * '' Eginiella'' * '' Eudasyphora'' * ''

Exsul ''Exsul'' is a genus of flies belonging to the family Muscidae. The genus was erected in 1901 by Frederick Hutton for the New Zealand endemic ''Exsul singularis'' (the bat-winged fly). The species of this genus are found only in New Zealand ...

'' * '' Fraserella'' * ''

Graphomya ''Graphomya'' is a genus of true flies of the family Muscidae. Species *'' G. alaskensis'' Arntfield, 1975 *'' G. americana'' Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 *'' G. columbiana'' Arntfield, 1975 *'' G. eustolia'' Walker, 1849 *'' G. idessa'' ( Walker, 1 ...

'' * '' Gymnodia'' * '' Gymnopapuaia'' * '' Haematobia'' * '' Haematobosca'' * '' Haematostoma'' * '' Haroldopsis'' * ''

Hebecnema ''Hebecnema'' is a genus of true flies of the family Muscidae. Species *'' H. anthracina'' Stein, 1908 *'' H. fulva'' ( Bigot, 1885) *'' H. fumosa'' ( Meigen, 1826) *'' H. nigra'' (Robineau-Desvoidy André Jean Baptiste Robineau-Desvoidy (1 ...

'' * ''

Helina ''Helina'' is a very large genus from the fly family Muscidae. Fungal species ''Strongwellsea selandia'' and ''Strongwellsea gefion'' from (genus ''Strongwellsea'', order Entomophthorales) infects adult flies from genus ''Helina'' in Denmark. ...

'' * '' Helinomydaea'' * '' Heliographa'' * '' Hemichlora'' * '' Hennigiola'' * '' Hennigmyia'' * '' Huckettomyia'' * '' Hydrotaea'' * '' Idiohelina'' * '' Insulamyia'' * '' Itatingamyia'' * '' Lasiopelta'' * '' Limnohelina'' * ''

Limnophora ''Limnophora'' is a genus of flies, belonging to the family Muscidae. The flies are characterized by silver bands across their thorax. The tribe Limnophorini The Limnophorini are a tribe of flies, belonging to the family Muscidae. Although the n ...

'' * '' Limnospila'' * '' Lispacoenosia'' * ''

Lispe ''Lispe'' is a genus of true flies Flies are insects of the order Diptera, the name being derived from the Greek δι- ''di-'' "two", and πτερόν ''pteron'' "wing". Insects of this order use only a single pair of wings to fly, the ...

'' * ''

Lispocephala ''Lispocephala'' is a very large genus of true flies of the family Muscidae. Description frons are broad in both sexes. There are two orbital setae and two frontal setae on each fronta-orbital plate. Biology The biology of the genus is, at pre ...

'' * '' Lispoides'' * ''

Lophosceles ''Lophosceles'' is a small genus from the fly family Muscidae. Species List *'' L. alaskensis'' ( Malloch, 1923) *'' L. cinereiventris'' (Zetterstedt, 1845) *'' L. frenatus'' (Holmgren\n, 1872) *'' L. hians'' Zetterstedt Johan Wilhelm Zet ...

'' * '' Macroeginia'' * ''

Macrorchis ''Macrorchis'' is a genus of flies belonging to the family Muscidae. The species of this genus are found in Europe and Northern America. Species: * '' Macrorchis alone'' (Walker, 1849) * '' Macrorchis ausoba'' (Walker, 1849) References {{ ...

'' * ''

Magma Magma () is the molten or semi-molten natural material from which all igneous rocks are formed. Magma is found beneath the surface of the Earth, and evidence of magmatism has also been discovered on other terrestrial planets and some natura ...

'' * '' Megophyra'' * '' Mesembrina'' * '' Metopomyia'' * '' Microcalyptra'' * '' Mitroplatia'' * ''

Morellia ''Morellia'' is a very large genus from the fly family Muscidae. ''Morellia'' are plumpish black flies, largely lacking eye hairs - sparse at most. they have a white dusting on the parafacialia and the scutum has 4 distinct longitudinal stripes. ...

'' * '' Mulfordia'' * ''

Musca Musca () is a small constellation in the deep southern sky. It was one of 12 constellations created by Petrus Plancius from the observations of Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser and Frederick de Houtman, and it first appeared on a celestial globe in ...

'' * '' Muscina'' * ''

Mydaea ''Mydaea'' is a large genus from the fly family Muscidae. Species List *'' M. affinis'' Meade, 1891 *'' M. ancilla'' ( Meigen, 1826) *'' M. anicula'' (Zetterstedt, 1860) *'' M. armatipes'' Malloch, 1921 *'' M. brevipilosa'' Malloch, 1920 *' ...

'' * '' Myiophaea'' * ''

Myospila ''Myospila '' is a genus from the fly family Muscidae. Species List *'' M. alpina'' Hendel, 1901 *'' M. bimaculata'' ( Macquart, 1834) *'' M. meditabunda'' (Fabricius Fabricius ( la, smith, german: Schmied, Schmidt) is a surname. Notable peo ...

'' * '' Neivamyia'' * ''

Neodexiopsis ''Neodexiopsis'' is a genus of house flies, insects in the family Muscidae. There are at least 80 described species in ''Neodexiopsis''. Species These 89 species belong to the genus ''Neodexiopsis'': * '' Neodexiopsis alacris'' Couri & Albuque ...

'' * '' Neohelina'' * '' Neolimnophora'' * '' Neomuscina'' * ''

Neomyia ''Neomyia'' is a genus from the fly family Muscidae. Species List *'' N. cornicina'' (Fabricius) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *'' N. viridescens'' (Robineau-Desvoidy André Jean Baptiste Robineau-Desvoidy (1 January 1799 in Saint-Sauveur ...

'' * '' Neorypellia'' * '' Neurotrixa'' * '' Notoschoenomyza'' * '' Nystomyia'' * '' Ochromusca'' * '' Ocypodomyia'' * ''

Ophyra ''Hydrotaea'' is a genus of insects in the housefly family, Muscidae. They occur in most regions of the world but are more populous in warmer climates. They are often found on feces in summer months, and are therefore generally found in close pr ...

'' * '' Opsolasia'' * '' Orchisia'' * '' Oxytonocera'' * ''

Pachyceramyia ''Pachyceramyia'' is a genus of house flies, insects in the family Muscidae. There are about six described species in ''Pachyceramyia''. Species * '' Pachyceramyia cordyluroides'' (Atein, 1898) * '' Pachyceramyia littoralis'' (Malloch, 1917) * ' ...

'' * '' Palpibracus'' * '' Papuaia'' * '' Papuaiella'' * '' Paracoenosia'' * '' Paralimnophora'' * '' Parastomoxys'' * '' Parvisquama'' * '' Passeromyia'' * '' Pectiniseta'' * '' Pentacricia'' * '' Phaomusca'' * ''

Phaonia ''Phaonia'' is a very large genus from the fly family Muscidae. It is distributed worldwide, with more than 750 species having been described. Species list *'' P. abditus'' ( Giglio-Tos, 1893) *'' P. aberrans'' Malloch, 1919 *'' P. acerba'' ...

'' * '' Phaonidia'' * '' Phaonina'' * ''

Philornis ''Philornis'' is a genus of around 50 species of fly ( Diptera, Muscidae) from Central and South America. Their larvae are subcutaneous parasites of nestling birds. They are sometimes referred to as "bot flies" (e.g. ), though they are not relate ...

'' * '' Pictia'' * '' Pilispina'' * '' Plexiopsis'' * '' Plumispina'' * ''

Polietes ''Polietes'' is a genus from the fly family Muscidae. Species List *'' P. domitor'' ( Harris, 1780) *'' P. hirticrura'' Meade, 1887 *'' P. hirticrus'' Meade, 1887 *'' P. lardarius'' (Fabricius Fabricius ( la, smith, german: Schmied, Schmidt) i ...

'' * ''

Polietina ''Polietina'' is a genus within the Diptera family Muscidae Muscidae are a family of flies found in the superfamily Muscoidea. Muscidae, some of which are commonly known as house flies or stable flies due to their synanthropy, are worldwi ...

'' * '' Potamia'' * '' Prohardyia'' * '' Prostomoxys'' * '' Pseudocoenosia'' * '' Pseudohelina'' * '' Pseudoptilolepis'' * '' Psilochaeta'' * '' Pygophora'' * ''

Pyrellia ''Pyrellia'' is a genus from the fly family Muscidae. Species List *'' Pyrellia acaciae'' Pont & Baldock, 2007 *'' Pyrellia albocuprea'' Villeneuve, 1914 *'' Pyrellia ampullacea'' Couri, Pont & Penny, 2006 *'' Pyrellia attonita'' Pont, 1973 *'' ...

'' * '' Pyrellina'' * '' Reinwardtia'' * '' Reynoldsia'' * '' Rhabdoptera'' * '' Rhinomusca'' * '' Rhynchomydaea'' * '' Rypellia'' * '' Sarcopromusca'' * '' Scenetes'' * '' Schoenomyza'' * '' Schoenomyzina'' * '' Scutellomusca'' * '' Sinophaonia'' * '' Souzalopesmyia'' * '' Spanochaeta'' * '' Spathipheromyia'' * ''

Spilogona Spilogona is a very large genus of flies from the family Muscidae. Species *'' Spilogona acrostichalis'' (Stein, 1916) *'' Spilogona acuticornis'' ( Malloch, 1920 *'' Spilogona aenea'' Huckett, 1965 *'' Spilogona aerea'' ( Fallén, 1825) *'' S ...

'' * '' Stomopogon'' * '' Stomoxys'' * '' Stygeromyia'' * '' Syllimnophora'' * '' Syngamoptera'' * ''

Synthesiomyia ''Synthesiomyia'' is a small genus of true flies of the family Muscidae. Species *''Synthesiomyia nudiseta ''Synthesiomyia nudiseta'' is one of the largest flies in the family Muscidae. The fly has a pair of forewings; the paired hind wings ...

'' * '' Tamilomyia'' * '' Tertiuseginia'' * '' Tetramerinx'' * '' Thaumasiochaeta'' * ''

Thricops ''Thricops'' is a genus of true flies of the family Muscidae. Species *'' Thricops aculeipes'' (Zetterstedt, 1838) *'' Thricops albibasalis'' (Zetterstedt, 1849) *'' Thricops beckeri'' (Pokorny, 1892) *'' Thricops bukowskii'' (Ringdahl, 1934) ...

'' * '' Trichomorellia'' * ''

Villeneuvia ''Villeneuvia'' is a genus of true flies, belonging to the family Muscidae. There is only one known species. They are very similar to '' Limnophora'', but orbital seta are absent in both sexes. It is a coastal fly found throughout most of coastal ...

'' * '' Xenomorellia'' * '' Xenomyia'' * '' Xenotachina'' * '' Xestomyia''

Types

* Types in the Natural History Museum of Berlin

Images

File:Mydaeinae, Muscidae.jpg, Mydaeinae sp. Image:Musca.domestica.female.jpg, '' Musca domestica'' Image:Musca domestica.jpg, Stable fly, ''

Stomoxys calcitrans ''Stomoxys calcitrans'' is commonly called the stable fly, barn fly, biting house fly, dog fly, or power mower fly. Unlike most members of the family Muscidae, ''Stomoxys calcitrans'' ('sharp mouth' + 'kicking') and others of its genus Hematoph ...

'', Albuquerque Image:Muscidae.jpg, Muscidae sp. File:Limnophora sp.jpg, ''

sp.'' File:Graphomya eustolia crop.jpg, ''

Graphomya eustolia ''Graphomya eustolia'' is a species of fly from the family Muscidae. It occurs in Southern Africa Southern Africa is the southernmost subregion of the African continent, south of the Congo and Tanzania. The physical location is the large p ...

Links to Genera and species lists

Palaearctic

Japan

References

External links

Image Gallery from Diptera.info
{{Taxonbar, from=Q527224 Brachycera families Taxa named by Pierre André Latreille

Identifying characteristics

Biology

Health and economic importance

Evolution

Genera

Types

Images

Further reading

Links to Genera and species lists

References

External links