Grey Flesh fly
Sarcophaga bullata
This record describes Sarcophaga bullata (species). Recorded family: Sarcophagidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Pupae are available to buy from biological supply houses such as Ward's Science as hosts for the parasitoid wasp Nasonia .
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
Life History
Females arrive within hours to larviposit on fresh rabbit carcasses. Females are ovoviviparous so their eggs hatch within the uterus then are deposited onto the food source. Early detection of carcasses and early arrival allow this fly to complete its larval development and pupate before the onslaught of calliphorids. This competitive edge is lost when both arrive at the same time.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Sarcophaga bullata. 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.