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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Flies (Diptera) » Calyptratae » Oestroidea » Flesh Flies (Sarcophagidae)
Photo#215318
Large Fly
Copyright © 2008 Elliotte Rusty Harold

Large Fly
Irvine, Orange County, California, USA
August 18, 2008
Size: 1.5 cm
This character's been hanging around my apartment for a couple of days now, and I finally managed to snap a couple of photos. It's about horsefly sized, much bigger than a housefly, though not as large as a Mexican Cactus Fly. perhaps Flesh Fly in the Sarcophagidae?

Images of this individual: tag all
Large Fly Large Fly Large Fly Close up of rear bottom
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Contributed by Elliotte Rusty Harold on 18 August, 2008 - 10:57am
Last updated 8 September, 2008 - 10:42pm

Yes, flesh fly
I'd forgotten how large some are, until you posted this and I ran into one at Peters Canyon today. If the fly's still in residence, see if you can get a shot from behind, as that may help cement a tighter ID some day.
… Ron Hemberger, 18 August, 2008 - 10:12pm login or register to post comments

 
This morning I found what I p
This morning I found what I presume is the same fly as yesterday dead by the window. Either they don't last long or it starved or both. (What do the adults eat?) In any case, I now have a relatively exact measurement of 1.5cm from head to tail, give or take a millimeter.

I'll upload some shots of the dead fly shortly.
… Elliotte Rusty Harold, 19 August, 2008 - 8:51am login or register to post comments

 
Specimen
FYI, I now have the specimen (it died of natural causes; I don't collect) and will keep it for at least a little while so if anyone wants a closer look of any particular part, holler. However microscopy or dissection of genitalia is beyond my skill level, I'm afraid. :-)
… Elliotte Rusty Harold, 19 August, 2008 - 8:59am login or register to post comments

 
Good info.Thanks!
Wish I could help further, but I've hit my limit, i.e. knowing what's needed for ID. If I were you, I'd wait a couple more days, then move this to flesh flies. I don't collect either, or as I usually put it, I take no prisoners.
… Ron Hemberger, 19 August, 2008 - 9:27am login or register to post comments

 
Moving -
to family page.
… Ken Schneider, 8 September, 2008 - 10:42pm login or register to post comments

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