Friendly Fly
Sarcophaga aldrichi
This record describes Sarcophaga aldrichi (species). Recorded family: Sarcophagidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Similar to house flies but larger. Appear in large numbers when tent caterpillars ( Malacosoma spp. and spongy moths Lymantria dispar ) are abundant. They help control tent caterpillar populations. They are called friendly flies because they land on people or animals in large numbers but don't bite.
Identification notes
Similar to house flies but larger.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera (Flies)
- Superfamily
- Oestroidea
- Family
- Sarcophagidae (Flesh Flies)
- Subfamily
- Sarcophaginae
- Tribe
- Johnsoniini
- Genus
- Sarcophaga
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Parasitize tent caterpillars.
Life History
Adult flies show up a few weeks before tent caterpillars make their coccoons. The maggots feed on tent caterpillars and drop to the ground where they pupate.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Sarcophaga aldrichi. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Diptera includes over 150,000 described species of flies, mosquitoes, and midges. Mosquitoes are the deadliest animal on Earth (CDC). Malaria alone causes ~249 million cases and over 608,000 deaths annually, mostly children under 5 (WHO). Vector-borne diseases account for over 17% of all infectious diseases, causing 700,000+ deaths per year.
Ecological role of the group
Despite their disease impact, flies are critical decomposers and pollinators. Hoverflies alone pollinate hundreds of crop and wildflower species. Flies are also the primary food source for many birds, bats, and fish. Forensic entomology relies heavily on fly species for crime scene analysis.
Economic and practical significance of the group
In the U.S., vector-borne disease cases tripled between 2004-2016, with over 640,000 cases reported in that period (CDC). Tickborne diseases doubled from 22,000 to 48,000 annual reports. Globally, mosquito-borne diseases cost billions in healthcare and lost productivity.
Recorded sources for this group: WHO, CDC, PNAS. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Frequently Asked Questions About Friendly Fly
What is Friendly Fly?
Friendly Fly (Sarcophaga aldrichi) is a species in the family Sarcophagidae, within the order Diptera.
How do you identify Friendly Fly?
Similar to house flies but larger.
What does Friendly Fly eat?
The diet of the Friendly Fly includes Parasitize tent caterpillars..
What is the life cycle of a Friendly Fly?
Adult flies show up a few weeks before tent caterpillars make their coccoons. The maggots feed on tent caterpillars and drop to the ground where they pupate.