Sarcophaga sp
Date First Recorded in the Garden: 31/05/2023
Family Sarcophagidae : Flesh Flies
As the name Flesh Fly suggests, some species of Sacrophagidae (and there are around 2500 globally) do indeed place maggots within the open wounds of mammals where they will feed. The choice of food is more often dead or decaying material. The adults feed on fluids containing nutrients, such as animal excretions, fruits, dung as well as carrion.
The females give birth to active young (maggots), as opposed to eggs, so the larva get straight to work feeding.
There are around 65 species recorded in Britain and they can be extremely difficult to tell apart and really need to be studied under magnification. Something we have yet to attempt, hence not naming species for this family.
Sarcophaga sp
We probably have more than one species recorded in the Garden, but we cannot tell them apart. They occur daily and throughout most the year. Some species are certainly likely to be able to complete their life cycles within the garden.
Like many fly species, once you take a detailed look at them you realise how amazing their appearance can be. As per this specimen we recorded for a youtube short.
Wildlife Garden 