Anthomyia illocata

The colorful Anthomyia illocata was introduced to North America from Asia. Austin, Texas, USA.

Anthomyia illocata

A small root-maggot fly feeds from the remains of a moth carcass. Austin, Texas, USA.

Anthomyiidae

A side view of a root-maggot fly shows its right haltere, a flight balancing organ. The haltere is a knob-like structure adapted from an ancestral hind wing that vibrates during flight. It is thought to work like a gyroscope. Urbana, Illinois USA.

Scathophaga

A dung fly rests on garden vegetation. Austin, Texas, USA.

Coenosia sp.

Tiger flies (Coenosia) are a speciose genus of predatory muscids related to house flies. Austin, Texas, USA.

Coenosia sp.

A yellow pan trap set out to attract winter insects in Austin, Texas, brought in a predatory tiger fly, as well as a fungus gnat it has caught.

Musca domestica

The common house fly. Urbana, Illinois, USA

Musca domestica

Portrait of a common house fly, Musca domestica. Urbana, Illinois, USA

Musca domestica

A house fly (Musca domestica) emerges from the puparium. Urbana, Illinois, USA

Musca domestica

Young house flies (Musca domestica) fill an inflatable structure- the ptilinum- with hemolymph to break free from the hard shell of the puparium. Once free, the ptilinum collapses back into the head. Urbana, Illinois, USA

Musca domestica

Young house flies (Musca domestica) fill an inflatable structure- the ptilinum- with hemolymph to break free from the hard shell of the puparium. Once free, the ptilinum collapses back into the head. Urbana, Illinois, USA

Musca vetustissima - Australian Bush Fly

A bush fly performing her signature move: lapping sweat off human skin. Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia.

Musca vetustissima - Australian Bush Fly

Bush flies are an ever-present nuisance in much of rural Australia, where they seek moisture and micronutrients from any patch of exposed human skin they can find. This mating pair is busy making a new generation. Tower Hill Reserve, Victoria, Australia.

Musca vetustissima - Australian Bush Fly

Bush flies don't just spring out of thin air! They breed in dung, turning Australia's poop into insect biomass. Here, a male and female (bottom) alight on an emu dropping. Tower Hill Reserve, Victoria, Australia.

Hydrotaea

A male Hydrotaea dump fly rests on a rat carcass. Note the bright iridescent wing patterns, which may help flies recognize members of their own species. Austin, Texas, USA.

Hydrotaea

A female fly lays her eggs in a rat carcass, while a maggot feeds on the outside. This is a gruesome scene, but flies are extremely important in removing dead animals and dispersing their biomass. Austin, Texas, USA.

Stomoxys calcitrans

The stable fly, a Eurasian muscid now found worldwide, can be recognized by its distinct dark, straight proboscis. This one is pollinating a fall mistflower. Austin, Texas, USA.

Stomoxys calcitrans

The stable fly, a Eurasian muscid now found worldwide, can be recognized by its distinct dark, straight proboscis. This one is pollinating a fall mistflower. Austin, Texas, USA.

Sarcophagidae

A flesh fly feeds from a Lantana flower. Dripping Springs, Texas, USA.

Sarcophagidae

A mating pair of flesh flies. Tower Hill, Victoria, Australia.

Sarcophagidae

Up close with a flesh fly. Dripping Springs, Texas, USA.

Sarcophagidae

Portrait of a flesh fly. Austin, Texas, USA.

Stomorhina

A rhiniid blow fly sips nectar from Australian blackthorn. Diamond Creek, Victoria, Australia.

Stomorhina

A locust fly gathers nectar from a Bursaria. Flies, like bees, are important pollinators. Diamond Creek, Victoria, Australia.

Phormia regina

A female black blow fly. This species can be recognized by the relatively inconspicuous bristles on the thorax and an orange spiracle above the foreleg. Trotter's Bluff, Tennessee, USA.