''Sarcophaga'' is a
genus
Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...
of
true flies and the
type genus
In biological taxonomy, the type genus (''genus typica'') is the genus which defines a biological family and the root of the family name.
Zoological nomenclature
According to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, "The name-bearin ...
of the flesh-fly
family
Family (from ) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). It forms the basis for social order. Ideally, families offer predictabili ...
(
Sarcophagidae). The members of this cosmopolitan genus are frequently known as common flesh flies. There are more than 1000 species in ''Sarcophaga''.
[
This genus occurs essentially worldwide. These flies are generally well-sized and of a greyish color; like many of their relatives, the typical patterns are lengthwise darker stripes on the ]thorax
The thorax (: thoraces or thoraxes) or chest is a part of the anatomy of mammals and other tetrapod animals located between the neck and the abdomen.
In insects, crustaceans, and the extinct trilobites, the thorax is one of the three main di ...
and dark and light square dots on the abdomen
The abdomen (colloquially called the gut, belly, tummy, midriff, tucky, or stomach) is the front part of the torso between the thorax (chest) and pelvis in humans and in other vertebrates. The area occupied by the abdomen is called the abdominal ...
. Many have conspicuous red compound eye
A compound eye is a Eye, visual organ found in arthropods such as insects and crustaceans. It may consist of thousands of ommatidium, ommatidia, which are tiny independent photoreception units that consist of a cornea, lens (anatomy), lens, and p ...
s. These are set further apart in females than in males; the females are also larger on average. As typical for this family, it is almost impossible to tell the species apart from their outward appearance, and many can only be reliably identified by microscopic
The microscopic scale () is the scale of objects and events smaller than those that can easily be seen by the naked eye, requiring a lens or microscope to see them clearly. In physics, the microscopic scale is sometimes regarded as the scale betwe ...
examination of the males' genitalia
A sex organ, also known as a reproductive organ, is a part of an organism that is involved in sexual reproduction. Sex organs constitute the primary sex characteristics of an organism. Sex organs are responsible for producing and transporting ...
.
As the common name implies, their larva
A larva (; : larvae ) is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into their next life stage. Animals with indirect development such as insects, some arachnids, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase ...
e typically feed on decaying meat. Some, however, instead eat the bacteria
Bacteria (; : bacterium) are ubiquitous, mostly free-living organisms often consisting of one Cell (biology), biological cell. They constitute a large domain (biology), domain of Prokaryote, prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a few micr ...
and other small organisms living on carrion
Carrion (), also known as a carcass, is the decaying flesh of dead animals.
Overview
Carrion is an important food source for large carnivores and omnivores in most ecosystems. Examples of carrion-eaters (or scavengers) include crows, vultures ...
. Many species have adapted to humans, and while they are usually nuisance pests, some are medically significant vectors of pathogen
In biology, a pathogen (, "suffering", "passion" and , "producer of"), in the oldest and broadest sense, is any organism or agent that can produce disease. A pathogen may also be referred to as an infectious agent, or simply a Germ theory of d ...
s and bacteria. Sometimes, the larvae cause myiasis
Myiasis ( ), also known as flystrike or fly strike, is the parasitic infestation of the body of a live animal by fly larvae (maggots) that grow inside the host while feeding on its Biological tissue, tissue. Although flies are most commonly attr ...
. Others are parasitoid
In evolutionary ecology, a parasitoid is an organism that lives in close association with its host (biology), host at the host's expense, eventually resulting in the death of the host. Parasitoidism is one of six major evolutionarily stable str ...
s of pest caterpillar
Caterpillars ( ) are the larval stage of members of the order Lepidoptera (the insect order comprising butterflies and moths).
As with most common names, the application of the word is arbitrary, since the larvae of sawflies (suborder ...
s and beneficial in forestry
Forestry is the science and craft of creating, managing, planting, using, conserving and repairing forests and woodlands for associated resources for human and Natural environment, environmental benefits. Forestry is practiced in plantations and ...
and orchard
An orchard is an intentional plantation of trees or shrubs that is maintained for food production. Orchards comprise fruit tree, fruit- or nut (fruit), nut-producing trees that are generally grown for commercial production. Orchards are also so ...
s.
Well-known species are '' Sarcophaga africa'', ''Sarcophaga bercaea'', the grey flesh-fly '' Sarcophaga bullata'', '' Sarcophaga carnaria'', '' Sarcophaga crassipalpis'', the friendly fly '' Sarcophaga aldrichi'' and the red-tailed flesh-fly '' Sarcophaga haemorrhoidalis''.
Subgenera
The immense number of ''Sarcophaga'' species
A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...
is divided among the following subgenera
In biology, a subgenus ( subgenera) is a taxonomic rank directly below genus.
In the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, a subgeneric name can be used independently or included in a species name, in parentheses, placed between the ge ...
, some of which are occasionally considered (and may well be) distinct genera
Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family as used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In binomial nomenclature, the genus name forms the first part of the binomial s ...
:
*'' Aethianella'' Zumpt, 1972
*'' Aethiopisca'' Rohdendorf, 1963
*'' Afrohelicobia'' Zumpt, 1972
*'' Afrothyrsocnema'' Rohdendorf, 1963
*'' Alisarcophagaa'' Fan & Chen, 1981
*'' Amharomyia'' Verves, 1984
*'' Anthostilophalla'' Lehrer
Lehrer, alternatively Lehr, Lehrian or Lehrmann, is a surname that can be either Germanic or Jewish.
Origin Teacher
The most probable option for the origin of the Lehrer surname is from the word ''Lehrer'', meaning teacher or rabbi in the Germ ...
, 1993
*'' Asceloctella'' Enderlein, 1928
*'' Asiopierretia'' Rohdendorf, 1965
*'' Australopierretia'' Verves, 1987
*'' Baliisca'' Verves, 1980
*'' Baranovisca'' Lopes, 1985
*'' Batissophalla'' Rohdendorf, 1963
*'' Bellieriomima'' Rohdendorf, 1937
*'' Bercaea'' ( Robineau-Desvoidy, 1863)
*'' Bercaeopsis'' Townsend, 1917
*'' Beziella'' Enderlein, 1937
*'' Bilenemyia'' Verves, 1989
*'' Boettcheria'' Rohdendorf, 1937
*'' Brasia'' Strand, 1932
*''Caledonia
Caledonia (; ) was the Latin name used by the Roman Empire to refer to the forested region in the central and western Scottish Highlands, particularly stretching through parts of what are now Lochaber, Badenoch, Strathspey, and possibly as ...
'' Curran, 1929
*'' Callostuckenbergia'' Lehrer
Lehrer, alternatively Lehr, Lehrian or Lehrmann, is a surname that can be either Germanic or Jewish.
Origin Teacher
The most probable option for the origin of the Lehrer surname is from the word ''Lehrer'', meaning teacher or rabbi in the Germ ...
& Lehrer, 1992
*'' Camerounisca'' Verves, 1989
*'' Cercosarcophaga'' Zumpt, 1972
*'' Chaetophalla'' Rohdendorf, 1963
*'' Chrysosarcophaga'' Townsend, 1933
*'' Curranisca'' Rohdendorf, 1963
*'' Curtophalla'' Lehrer
Lehrer, alternatively Lehr, Lehrian or Lehrmann, is a surname that can be either Germanic or Jewish.
Origin Teacher
The most probable option for the origin of the Lehrer surname is from the word ''Lehrer'', meaning teacher or rabbi in the Germ ...
, 1994
*'' Cyclophalla'' Rohdendorf, 1963
*'' Danbeckia'' Lehrer
Lehrer, alternatively Lehr, Lehrian or Lehrmann, is a surname that can be either Germanic or Jewish.
Origin Teacher
The most probable option for the origin of the Lehrer surname is from the word ''Lehrer'', meaning teacher or rabbi in the Germ ...
, 1994
*'' Dinemomyia'' Chen, 1975
*'' Diplonophalla'' Lehrer
Lehrer, alternatively Lehr, Lehrian or Lehrmann, is a surname that can be either Germanic or Jewish.
Origin Teacher
The most probable option for the origin of the Lehrer surname is from the word ''Lehrer'', meaning teacher or rabbi in the Germ ...
, 1994
*'' Discachaeta'' Enderlein, 1928
*'' Drakensbergiana'' Lehrer
Lehrer, alternatively Lehr, Lehrian or Lehrmann, is a surname that can be either Germanic or Jewish.
Origin Teacher
The most probable option for the origin of the Lehrer surname is from the word ''Lehrer'', meaning teacher or rabbi in the Germ ...
, 1992
*'' Durbanella'' Lehrer
Lehrer, alternatively Lehr, Lehrian or Lehrmann, is a surname that can be either Germanic or Jewish.
Origin Teacher
The most probable option for the origin of the Lehrer surname is from the word ''Lehrer'', meaning teacher or rabbi in the Germ ...
, 1994
*'' Dysparaphalla'' Rohdendorf, 1965
*'' Fengia'' Rohdendorf, 1964
*'' Fergusonimyia'' Lopes, 1958
*'' Fijimyia'' Lopes & Kano, 1971
*'' Hadroxena'' Whitmore, Buenaventura & Pape, 2018
*'' Hardyella'' Lopes, 1959
*'' Harpagophalla'' Rohdendorf, 1937
*'' Harpagophalloides'' Rohdendorf, 1963
*'' Helicophagella'' Enderlein, 1928
*'' Heteronychia'' Brauer Brauer or Bräuer is a surname of German origin, meaning "brewer". Notable people with the name include:-
* Alfred Brauer (1894–1985), German-American mathematician, brother of Richard
* Andreas Brauer (born 1973), German film producer
* Arik Bra ...
& Bergenstamm, 1889
*'' Hoa'' Rohdendorf, 1937
*'' Hosarcophaga'' Shinonaga & Tumrasvin, 1979
*'' Hyperacanthisca'' Rohdendorf, 1963
*'' Ihosyia'' Verves, 1989
*'' Iranihindia'' Rohdendorf, 1961
*'' Johnsonimima'' Kano & Lopes, 1971
*'' Johnstonimyia'' Lopes, 1959
*'' Kalshovenella'' Baranov, 1941
*'' Kanoa'' Rohdendorf, 1965
*'' Kanomyia'' Shinonaga & Tumrasvin, 1979
*'' Kozlovea'' Rohdendorf, 1937
*'' Kramerea'' Rohdendorf, 1937
*'' Krameromyia'' Verves, 1982
*'' Leucomyia'' Brauer Brauer or Bräuer is a surname of German origin, meaning "brewer". Notable people with the name include:-
* Alfred Brauer (1894–1985), German-American mathematician, brother of Richard
* Andreas Brauer (born 1973), German film producer
* Arik Bra ...
& von Bergenstamm, 1891
*'' Lipoptilocnema'' Townsend, 1934
*'' Lioplacella'' Enderlein, 1928
*'' Lioproctia'' Enderlein, 1928
*'' Liopygia'' Enderlein, 1928
*'' Liosarcophaga'' Enderlein, 1928
*'' Macabiella'' Lehrer
Lehrer, alternatively Lehr, Lehrian or Lehrmann, is a surname that can be either Germanic or Jewish.
Origin Teacher
The most probable option for the origin of the Lehrer surname is from the word ''Lehrer'', meaning teacher or rabbi in the Germ ...
, 1994
*'' Mandalania'' Lehrer
Lehrer, alternatively Lehr, Lehrian or Lehrmann, is a surname that can be either Germanic or Jewish.
Origin Teacher
The most probable option for the origin of the Lehrer surname is from the word ''Lehrer'', meaning teacher or rabbi in the Germ ...
, 1994
*'' Mauritiella'' Verves, 1989
*'' Mehria'' Enderlein, 1928
*'' Mimarhopocnemis'' Rohdendorf, 1937
*'' Mindanaoa'' Lopes & Kano, 1979
*'' Mufindia'' Verves, 1990
*'' Myorhina'' Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830
*'' Neobellieria'' Blanchard, 1939
*'' Neosarcophaga'' Shewell, 1996
*'' Nesbittia'' Verves, 1989
*'' Nigerimyia'' Verves, 1989
*'' Nihonea'' Rohdendorf, 1965
*'' Notoecus'' Stein, 1924
*'' Nudicerca'' Rohdendorf, 1965
*'' Nuzzaciella'' Lehrer
Lehrer, alternatively Lehr, Lehrian or Lehrmann, is a surname that can be either Germanic or Jewish.
Origin Teacher
The most probable option for the origin of the Lehrer surname is from the word ''Lehrer'', meaning teacher or rabbi in the Germ ...
, 1994
*'' Nyikamyia'' Lehrer
Lehrer, alternatively Lehr, Lehrian or Lehrmann, is a surname that can be either Germanic or Jewish.
Origin Teacher
The most probable option for the origin of the Lehrer surname is from the word ''Lehrer'', meaning teacher or rabbi in the Germ ...
, 1994
*'' Pandelleana'' Rohdendorf, 1937
*'' Pandelleisca'' Rohdendorf, 1937
*'' Paraethiopisca'' Zumpt, 1972
*'' Parasarcophaga'' Johnston & Tiegs, 1921
*'' Petuniophalla'' Lehrer
Lehrer, alternatively Lehr, Lehrian or Lehrmann, is a surname that can be either Germanic or Jewish.
Origin Teacher
The most probable option for the origin of the Lehrer surname is from the word ''Lehrer'', meaning teacher or rabbi in the Germ ...
, 1994
*'' Phalacrodiscus'' Enderlein, 1928
*'' Phallantha'' Rohdendorf, 1938
*'' Phallanthisca'' Rohdendorf, 1965
*'' Phallocheira'' Rohdendorf, 1937
*'' Phallonychia'' Verves, 1982
*'' Phallosphaera'' Rohdendorf, 1938
*'' Phytosarcophaga'' Rohdendorf, 1937
*'' Poecilometopa'' Villeneuve, 1913
*'' Poeciphaoides'' Rohdendorf, 1963
*'' Prionophalla'' Rohdendorf, 1963
*'' Pseudaethiopisca'' Verves, 1989
*'' Pseudothyrsocnema'' Rohdendorf, 1937
*'' Pterolobomyia'' Lehrer
Lehrer, alternatively Lehr, Lehrian or Lehrmann, is a surname that can be either Germanic or Jewish.
Origin Teacher
The most probable option for the origin of the Lehrer surname is from the word ''Lehrer'', meaning teacher or rabbi in the Germ ...
, 1992
*'' Pterophalla'' Rohdendorf, 1965
*'' Pterosarcophaga'' Ye, 1981
*'' Robineauella'' Enderlein, 1928
*'' Rohdendorfisca'' Ye, 1981
*'' Rosellea'' Rohdendorf, 1937
*'' Sabiella'' Verves, 1990
*'' Sarcophaga'' Meigen, 1826
*'' Sarcorohdendorfia'' Baranov, 1938
*'' Sarcosolomonia'' Baranov, 1938
*'' Sarcotachinella'' Townsend, 1892
*'' Scotathyrsia'' Enderlein, 1937
*'' Sinonipponia'' Rohdendorf, 1959
*'' Sisyhelicobia'' Zumpt, 1972
*'' Stackelbergeola'' Boris Rohdendorf, 1937
*'' Takanoa'' Boris Rohdendorf, 1965
*'' Takaraia'' Kano & Field, 1963
*'' Taylorimyia'' Lopes, 1959
*'' Thyrsocnema'' Enderlein, 1928
*'' Tolucamyia'' Dodge, 1965
*'' Torgopampa'' Lopes, 1975
*'' Transvaalomyia'' Lehrer
Lehrer, alternatively Lehr, Lehrian or Lehrmann, is a surname that can be either Germanic or Jewish.
Origin Teacher
The most probable option for the origin of the Lehrer surname is from the word ''Lehrer'', meaning teacher or rabbi in the Germ ...
, 1992
*'' Tuberomembrana'' Fan, 1981
*'' Uroxanthisca'' Rohdendorf, 1963
*'' Varirosellea'' Xue, 1979
*'' Wohlfahrtiopsis'' Townsend, 1917
*'' Xanthopterisca'' Rohdendorf, 1963
*'' Ziminisca'' Rohdendorf, 1965
*'' Zombanella'' Lehrer
Lehrer, alternatively Lehr, Lehrian or Lehrmann, is a surname that can be either Germanic or Jewish.
Origin Teacher
The most probable option for the origin of the Lehrer surname is from the word ''Lehrer'', meaning teacher or rabbi in the Germ ...
, 1992
*'' Zumptiopsis'' Lehrer
Lehrer, alternatively Lehr, Lehrian or Lehrmann, is a surname that can be either Germanic or Jewish.
Origin Teacher
The most probable option for the origin of the Lehrer surname is from the word ''Lehrer'', meaning teacher or rabbi in the Germ ...
& Lehrer, 1992
*'' Zumptisca'' Rohdendorf, 1963
See also
List of Sarcophaga species
References
Further reading
*
*
External links
*
*
{{Taxonbar, from=Q1616496
Sarcophagidae
Oestroidea genera
Taxa named by Johann Wilhelm Meigen