Sarcophaga melanura
This record describes Sarcophaga melanura (species). Recorded family: Sarcophagidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Perhaps the best known and biologically most-diverse species in the subgenus Helicophagella is Sarcophaga (Helicophagella) melanura Meigen. It occurs widely in the Holarctic, extending northward to the Arctic Circle and south to the northern parts of the Orient, with preference for shrubland. Adults feed at flowers, faeces and decaying organic matter, and, being strongly synanthropic, is regarded as a vector of bacteria and helminths of human health significance. Larvae of S. melanura are mostly coprophagous, and less frequently necrophagous. Additionally the larvae have been recorded as saprophagous and parasitoid in insects, and as agents of myiases in birds and mammals. S. melanura has been reported as a facultative parasitoid of Arion hortensis de Férussac (Arionidae) and Cantareus aspersus (Müller) (Helicidae). (Barker, G. M. 2004. Natural Enemies of Terrestrial Molluscs . CABI.)
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.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Introduced to eastern North America
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Species name means "black tail." Species of Sarcophaga are often red-tailed.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Sarcophaga melanura. 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.
Photos of Sarcophaga melanura (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by John F. Carr