Sarcophaga melanura — identification & habitat

Sarcophaga melanura is a flesh fly with a striped gray chest and a gray-and-black checkered abdomen. It has been reported in the United States, where a forensic study describes it as very uncommon. Similar flesh flies are hard to tell apart, so an ordinary photo may not confirm the species.

Appearance

Appearance: It has the gray-and-black striped chest and shifting checkered abdomen typical of flesh flies. Sarcophaga species look very similar, so specialists often examine bristles or to confirm the species.

Look-alikes

House FlyMusca domestica

A House Fly has four dark stripes on the chest and usually pale sides on the abdomen. Flesh flies generally have three bold chest stripes and a gray-and-black checkered abdomen.

Why they get mixed upBoth are dull gray flies commonly noticed around people.

False Stable FlyMuscina stabulans

A False Stable Fly has four dark stripes on the chest and partly reddish-brown legs. Flesh flies usually have three strong chest stripes; that difference alone does not identify this species.

Why they get mixed upBoth are sturdy gray flies of similar size.

Where it lives

Range: It has been reported from the United States, but a U.S. forensic study calls it very uncommon there.

Behavior

Diet: Larvae develop in dead animals and other decaying animal matter.

Name and classification

About the name: It was formerly called Helicophagella melanura.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed

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