DIPTERA > BRACHYCERA | Higher Diptera

MUSCOMORPHA > SCHIZOPHORA > Calyptratae > Muscoidea > Muscidae (294 species)

(primary subfamilies: Azeliinae, Coenosiinae, Muscinae, Mydaeinae and Phaoniinae)

A large family which I'm trying to understand in more detail as there are quite a few common muscids that, with a bit of knowledge, can be readily identified both in the field and from photos. There are also a fair number of species that, given sufficient detail, can be assigned to the correct genus even if the actual species can't be determined. But, not surprisingly, there are far more that lead to frustration as the majority require microscopic examination to reliably identify them. That is often the case even when a particular species is deemed to be 'likely' or 'probable', a subtle difference here, but a useful way of providing a description for personal records when an identity can't be determined with certainty.

Whilst there are a lot of people who don't advocate such an approach, I always try to take identification as far as I can even if it has to be qualified which, for me, is far better than labelling individuals as 'unidentified'.

Unfortunately, though, there are no field guides to cover these species. There are keys, but they are often of limited use when trying to identify a specimen from a photo. As one's knowledge improves you do start to recognise certain species or particular features, but when I'm looking at my photos on the computer, I like to check details against descriptions that are accompanied by photos where the identity has been confirmed by an expert. In this respect, I rely heavily on Steven Falk's online resource, which he makes freely available via his Flickr account but, despite some of the very useful information he provides, he has quite a lot of albums that are still 'work in progress'. Consequently, there is often a need to find information from various sources.

As noted above, the current British list includes nearly 300 species, which are separated into 40 genera and various tribes. Those tribes are placed within six subfamilies - the five primary subfamilies as listed, plus Achanthipterinae with a single rarely recorded species. Although I have no wish or need to repeat descriptions here, its useful to include certain information in respect of the genus and/or species. So, in order to allow sufficient space for notes, I've split this family down so that each subfamily has its own page, even though my personal list of photographed species that I've been able to identify (mostly with help from members of the UK Diptera FB group), barely scratches the surface. But it's a start that provides some representation of certain genera even though the first subfamily Azeliinae is currently only represented by a single species!

Before starting to look at individual species it's worth noting that although the members of this family are collectively known as houseflies, only a few are actually synanthropic (living near, and benefitting from, humans or manmade habitats). Their lifestyles and feeding habits vary greatly with some species being predatory, whilst others suck vertebrate blood, or are associated with dung or decaying organic matter, plant sap or pollen.

They are highly variable in terms of both their size and general appearance; with a body length from as little as 2mm, up to 15mm or more with some of the larger species; slender to stocky; typically dark-coloured, grey to black, although some are yellowish brown or have a green to blue metallic lustre (some resembling blowflies, although less hairy and with a somewhat different wing venation); both sexes have five exposed abdominal segments usually bearing strong marginal bristles; mouthparts well developed.

Their wings have the apical half of vein Sc distinctly curving; vein M1 straight or with a faint to distinct forward curve; cell r4+5 open; anal vein A1 usually well developed, but never reaching the wing margin, and that would not intersect with A2 if both veins were continued.

Please use the forward 'next page' (>) button above to move on to the Azeliinae subfamily

Updated Sept.24 (v.3)