FLESH FLY

The Latin name for the Flesh fly is Sarcophaga carnaria.

Flesh Flies are found in dung, carrion and on the living tissues of humans and other animals. Flesh flies, sometimes called Meat flies, resemble large houseflies.

This is a large fly with a body length of about 1.5cm. It is grey to black, and is marked with longitudinal stripes on the thorax and abdomen, both segments being very bristly. The feet are noticeably large.

Most lay eggs, but in a few species the eggs are retained in the abdomen of the female until they hatch. The larvae develop for about a day, then burrow in meat for a week to ten days before entering the two-week pupal stage. The larvae (maggot) emit a liquid in which they live, and they are protected from drowning in the food by specially adapted breathing holes.