Sarcophaga

Name

Greek: sarx = meat, phagein = feeding (the larvae feed meat of dead bodies).

Classification

Genus of the so-called flesh flies.

Morphology

The European (holarctic) species S. carnaria (grey flesh fly) reaches a length of 10–14 mm (Figs. 1 and 2); the same size as the worldwide occurring species S. haemorrhoidalis. The females are viviparous and place the L₁ directly onto dead or motionless bodies (e.g., drunk people). The larvae (Fig. 3) feed on meat, while the adults lick plant fluids/juices. Diptera.

Sarcophaga, Fig. 1

Adult female fly licking at sugar