Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
First described in 1758 by
Carolus Linnaeus as
Musca stercoraria
Scatophaga stercoraria (A common spelling of the genus- correct as Greek, but incorrect as a scientific name)
Explanation of Names
SCATHOPHAGA: from the Greek skatos (σκατος) [a variant of skor (σκωρ)] (- "excrement" + phagein (φαγειεν)- "to eat"; refers to the larvae, which eat excrement [i.e. dung]
STERCORARIA: from the Latin stercoris- "of dung"; the larvae are found in dung
Identification
adult males are bright yellow or golden; females are usually grayer; both sexes very hairy on body and legs
Range
throughout North America and the world
Habitat
larvae found in/on dung of domestic and wild animals
adults found in the neighborhood of larval development sites (dung) which can be just about anywhere - pastures, meadows, woodlands, beside standing or running water, parks, gardens, etc.
Food
larvae feed on dung
adults prey mostly on other fly species, and occasionally on other insects
Life Cycle
multiple generations per year, the number depending on latitude (more in the south; fewer in the north)
Remarks
This species has been studied extensively in attempting to understand the importance of sperm competition in the evolution of male mating behavior.
Males mate with females on fresh dung, sitting on the back of the female. This doesn't interfere with her overpositing her eggs. Should that male be displaced, another male will fertilize 80% of her eggs.
(1)
Sometimes males carry the females from the dung to surrounding grass to mate with her when male densities on the dung increase.
(1)Internet References
live adult image (Johannes Skaftason, Iceland)
live adult image of pair mating (Michel Vuijlsteke, Europe)
live adult photo and distribution (Iziko Museums of Cape Town, South Africa)
mechanism of sperm competition (Research project at U. of Zurich, Switzerland)