''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 ...

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 hindwings having evolved into advanced ...

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 Sarcophagidae () are a family (biology), family of fly, flies commonly known as flesh flies. They differ from most flies in that they are Ovoviviparity, ovoviviparous, opportunistically depositing hatched or hatching maggots instead of eggs on c ...

). 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 In biology, adaptation has three related meanings. Firstly, it is the dynamic evolutionary process of natural selection that fits organisms to their environment, enhancing their evolutionary fitness. Secondly, it is a state reached by the p ...

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 Zumpt is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: * Karl Gottlob Zumpt (1792–1894), German classical scholar * August Wilhelm Zumpt (1815–1887), German classical scholar, nephew of Karl * Fritz Konrad Ernst Zumpt Fritz Konrad Er ...

, 1972 *'' Aethiopisca'' Rohdendorf, 1963 *'' Afrohelicobia''

, 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, 1992 *'' Camerounisca'' Verves, 1989 *'' Cercosarcophaga''

, 1972 *'' Chaetophalla'' Rohdendorf, 1963 *'' Chrysosarcophaga'' Townsend, 1933 *'' Curranisca'' Rohdendorf, 1963 *'' Curtophalla''

, 1994 *'' Cyclophalla'' Rohdendorf, 1963 *'' Danbeckia''

, 1994 *'' Dinemomyia'' Chen, 1975 *'' Diplonophalla''

, 1994 *'' Discachaeta'' Enderlein, 1928 *'' Drakensbergiana''

, 1992 *'' Durbanella''

, 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''

& von Bergenstamm, 1891 *'' Lipoptilocnema'' Townsend, 1934 *'' Lioplacella'' Enderlein, 1928 *'' Lioproctia'' Enderlein, 1928 *'' Liopygia'' Enderlein, 1928 *'' Liosarcophaga'' Enderlein, 1928 *'' Macabiella''

, 1994 *'' Mandalania''

, 1994 *''

Mauritiella ''Mauritiella'' is a dioecious genus of flowering plant in the palm family found in South America where it is commonly called buriti. It is named after the similar and closely related genus ''Mauritia''.Uhl, Natalie W. and Dransfield, John (1987 ...

'' 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 Stein may refer to: Places Austria * Stein, a neighbourhood of Krems an der Donau, Lower Austria * Stein, Styria, a municipality in the district of Fürstenfeld, Styria * Stein (Lassing), a village in the district of Liezen, Styria * Stein a ...

, 1924 *'' Nudicerca'' Rohdendorf, 1965 *'' Nuzzaciella''

, 1994 *'' Nyikamyia''

, 1994 *'' Pandelleana'' Rohdendorf, 1937 *'' Pandelleisca'' Rohdendorf, 1937 *'' Paraethiopisca''

, 1972 *'' Parasarcophaga'' Johnston & Tiegs, 1921 *'' Petuniophalla''

, 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''

, 1992 *'' Pterophalla'' Rohdendorf, 1965 *'' Pterosarcophaga'' Ye, 1981 *'' Robineauella'' Enderlein, 1928 *'' Rohdendorfisca'' Ye, 1981 *'' Rosellea'' Rohdendorf, 1937 *'' Sabiella'' Verves, 1990 *''

Sarcophaga ''Sarcophaga'' is a genus of true flies and the type genus of the flesh-fly family ( Sarcophagidae). The members of this cosmopolitan genus are frequently known as common flesh flies. There are more than 1000 species in ''Sarcophaga''. This ge ...

'' Meigen, 1826 *'' Sarcorohdendorfia'' Baranov, 1938 *'' Sarcosolomonia'' Baranov, 1938 *'' Sarcotachinella'' Townsend, 1892 *'' Scotathyrsia'' Enderlein, 1937 *'' Sinonipponia'' Rohdendorf, 1959 *'' Sisyhelicobia''

, 1972 *'' Stackelbergeola''

Boris Rohdendorf Boris Borisovich Rohdendorf (, 12 July 1904, Saint Petersburg – 21 November 1977, Moscow) was a Soviet entomologist and curator at the Zoological Museum at the Moscow University. He attained the position of head of the Laboratory of Arthropods, ...

, 1937 *'' Takanoa''

, 1965 *'' Takaraia'' Kano & Field, 1963 *'' Taylorimyia'' Lopes, 1959 *'' Thyrsocnema'' Enderlein, 1928 *'' Tolucamyia'' Dodge, 1965 *'' Torgopampa'' Lopes, 1975 *'' Transvaalomyia''

, 1992 *'' Tuberomembrana'' Fan, 1981 *'' Uroxanthisca'' Rohdendorf, 1963 *'' Varirosellea'' Xue, 1979 *'' Wohlfahrtiopsis'' Townsend, 1917 *'' Xanthopterisca'' Rohdendorf, 1963 *'' Ziminisca'' Rohdendorf, 1965 *'' Zombanella''

, 1992 *'' Zumptiopsis''

& Lehrer, 1992 *'' Zumptisca'' Rohdendorf, 1963

References

External links

* * {{Taxonbar, from=Q1616496 Sarcophagidae Oestroidea genera Taxa named by Johann Wilhelm Meigen

Subgenera

See also

References

Further reading

External links