Yellow Dung Fly
Scathophaga stercoraria
This record describes Scathophaga stercoraria (species). Recorded family: Scathophagidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
One of the most common and widely distributed flies in Britain. The males are golden yellow and furry, whilst females are green/grey and bristly. It is very common in cattle farming areas where it breeds in cow dung but it can be found anywhere. It will breed on dung from many animals, including dogs and reindeer! Males congregate, often in large numbers, on fresh cowpats hoping to intercept a female arriving to lay eggs. March to November peaking in summer, but can be found all year round. The adult fly is mainly carnivorous and catches smaller insects, though also eats nectar. As the name suggests, this fly lays its eggs on dung where the larvae are predatory on other insect larvae.
Wikipedia reference for Scathophaga stercoraria: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scathophaga_stercoraria.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera (Flies)
- Superfamily
- Muscoidea
- Family
- Scathophagidae (Dung Flies)
- Subfamily
- Scathophaginae
- Genus
- Scathophaga
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
It is very common in cattle farming areas where it breeds in cow dung but it can be found anywhere. It will breed on dung from many animals, including dogs and reindeer! Males congregate, often in large numbers, on fresh cowpats hoping to intercept a female arriving to lay eggs.
Seasonal Activity
March to November peaking in summer, but can be found all year round.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The adult fly is mainly carnivorous and catches smaller insects, though also eats nectar. As the name suggests, this fly lays its eggs on dung where the larvae are predatory on other insect larvae.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Very common and widespread in Britain.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Scathophaga stercoraria. 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 Yellow Dung Fly (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About Yellow Dung Fly
What is Yellow Dung Fly?
Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria) is a species in the family Scathophagidae, within the order Diptera.
Where is Yellow Dung Fly found?
Habitat: It is very common in cattle farming areas where it breeds in cow dung but it can be found anywhere. It will breed on dung from many animals, including dogs and reindeer! Males congregate, often in large numbers, on fresh cowpats hoping to intercept a female arriving to lay eggs.
When is Yellow Dung Fly active?
Yellow Dung Fly: seasonal activity - March to November peaking in summer, but can be found all year round..
What is the life cycle of a Yellow Dung Fly?
The adult fly is mainly carnivorous and catches smaller insects, though also eats nectar. As the name suggests, this fly lays its eggs on dung where the larvae are predatory on other insect larvae.