1. Muscidae and Other Families March 2, 2009

9. Muscidae Large fly group Includes number of species of economic/public health importance House fly, face fly, stable fly, horn fly, latrine fly

10. General Adult Appearance Frontal suture on head 3 segmented antenna with subterminal arista Wing with 1-3 posterior cells on wing Has large calypteres Meron bare

11. Musca domestica House fly Everywhere there are humans 6-9 mm Dull grey body, 4 longitudinal stripes Wings held apart when at rest 1st attracted to excrement, follows blow flies to carrion

12. Hydrotaea sp. Dump flies All over US Common on excrement during hot months < 6 mm Occurs late in succession--after 4-5 months 2nd/3rd instars facultative predators

13. Fannia sp. Lesser/little house fly, latrine fly 6-7 mm, everywhere Dull brown to black 3 stripes on thorax Larvae small and flat with lateral processes on each segment Active during summer Larvae in liquified material

14. Muscina sp. False stable flies Throughout US Most active during summer, somewhat active year- round 8-10 mm--slightly larger than houseflies w/ heavier bodies Pale tip on scutellum Attracted to carrion in late stages of decay Able to reach shallow bodies 3rd instar larvae are predaceous

15. Synthesiomyia nudiseta 7-10 mm (one of larger muscids) Grey w/ checkered abdomen 4 longitudinal stripes Palps on antennae yellow-orange Terminal segment yellow (not red) Larvae large and predaceous Will eat C. rufifacies Puparia in silky white substance soil adheres

16. Sepsidae Black Scavenger Flies Adults 2.3-3.5 mm Look like parasitic wasps Spherical head, clear wings with dark spot at tip Tiny maggots <5 mm All over US, active in Texas as long as over 45-50 F Fee predominantly on dung, but sometimes on carrion

17. Piophilidae Skipper flies Gnat-like insects--< 5 mm Shiny blue-black, lower legs yellow Small larvae 6-9 mm Can jump/skip Adults found on body early, larvae late Life cycle 11 days (or more)

18. Phoridae Scuttle Flies, coffin flies Run in jerky manner Most active in later stages of decay Able to dig down to coffins ~0.5 m in a few days Can complete life cycle under ground 55 million flies--60 days

19. Any questions?