DIPTERA > BRACHYCERA | Higher Diptera

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

(subfamily: Muscinae)

Muscinae (21)

The species within this small subfamily are placed in ten genera that are separated two tribes:

Muscini - Eudasyphora (2), Mesembrina (2), Morellia (3), Musca (3), Neomyia (2), Polietes (5), Pyrellia (1)

Stomoxyini - Haematobia (1), Haematobosca (1), Stomoxys (1)

Eudasyphora

This genus includes two medium-sized metallic flies with wing vein M1 strongly upcurved towards vein R4+5. Superficially resembling a calliphorid Lucilia 'greenbottle', Eudasyphora cyanella is metallic-green or bluish-green with distinct dust stripes on the front of the thorax. It is by far the more common of the two species, particularly in the south. The much scarcer Eudasyphora cyanicolor has a deep blue colour with a conspicuous patch of dusting at the centre of the thorax immediately behind the head. It has only been recorded a handful of times from South Hampshire and only twice from Dorset with both of those sightings being in the west of the county. I'd photographed the species just across the county border in South Devon (VC3) and that was the individual I was going to feature, except that coincidently, during the time I was updating this page, I found a few females and a couple of males locally in Garston Wood.

Mesembrina

Although two species are listed, one has never been officially recorded, whereas the other Mesembrina meridiana is our largest and most frequently record muscid. It is a jet-black, easily identifiable species with distinctive orange-gold markings across the base of the wings, and similarly coloured feet and face. Commonly known as the Noon Fly.

Morellia

Three Medium-sized bluish-black muscids with a characteristically marked thorax featuring a broad pale grey median stripe flanked by a pair of broad blackish stripes. Wing vein M1 is strongly upcurved towards vein R4+5 in a similar manner to Eudasyphora, Graphomya, Muscina and couple other genera I've yet to encounter. In most cases, it would be difficult if not impossible to confidently identify individuals from photos as specimens really need to be examined under a microscope, but there are certain features present in the males that are useful to know. Morellia aenescens is the smallest of the three species and is said to be the most frequently recorded across southern Britain, often abundant on umbellifers and similar flowers. Males are readily distinguishable from the other species by their strongly bent hind tibia. Morellia hortorum averages the largest of the three and is widespread and frequent, especially in pastoral landscapes according to Falk. The male hind tibia is not strongly bent as in the previous species, but is distinctive in having a dense hair fringe below the front femora. Morellia simplex is more difficult to determine although, interestingly, it is actually the most frequently recorded Morellia locally. The males lack the two previously described features and have longer setae on the hind tibia. All three species are associated with cattle dung, although Morellia aenescens shows a preference for horse dung rather than cow pats. Sometimes referred to as Sweat Flies.

Neomyia

Two superficially similar species that are bright metallic-green when young and fresh, but gradually darken and turn bronze with age. Neomyia cornicina is the smaller and, from my experience, the more common species locally. It is readily distinguishable from the larger Neomyia viridescens by having a pair of presutural acrostichal bristles and three, rather than four, dorsocentrals. They superficially resemble Lucilia 'greenbottle' blowflies, which have similar wing venation with an abruptly upturned M vein, but are easy to separate in the field as the females have a broad glossy green frons and the males have dark, rather than silvery-white, frontal orbits. They can often be found on dung and carrion, but also nectaring in various flowers. As with some of the previous genera, the larvae develop in dung and, consequently, these species occur more frequently in rural areas where cattle graze.      

Musca

Two medium-sized, non-metallic species with wing vein M1 more sharply angled than found in any other muscid genera other than Neomyia. Three species are listed, but only two need to be considered. The most frequently observed is Musca autumnalis, commonly known as the Face Fly, which can be particularly abundant in some rural areas especially where there are cattle pastures or horse fields. The males have extensive orange markings on the abdomen, whereas the females appear heavily dusted, but with more obvious stripes on the thorax. The other species is Musca domestica, the so-called common housefly, which is rarely seen away from habitation. But, despite being a frequent nuisance species in the past, it is rarely recorded these days. In fact, only two have ever been officially recorded in Dorset and, looking at both Dorset (VC9) and South Hampshire (VC11) combined, only one has been recorded in the past ten years.

Polietes

Five species are recognised, although only three are likely to be found locally. The most frequently observed by far is Polietes lardarius, a large robust muscid with thoracic stripes that could only be confused with Polietes meridionalis, which is a recent addition to the British list. Although never recoded locally, Polietes meridonalis can't be ignored as most sightings have been in the south. Both species are very similar and can only be separated if you have a clear view of the anterior spiracle, which is yellow in Polietes meridonalis, but dull brown in Polietes lardarius. Unfortunately, I only got a dorsal shot of the individual featured below, which is why the species can't be determined. There are also different facial markings. The common species, Polietes lardarius, which I presume is the species I found in Garston Wood is described as typically occurring in pastoral settings, but often sheltering in woodland rides and clearings, whereas Polietes meridionalis is thought to prefer warmer, dryer and more open habitats. The other Polietes that occurs locally is Polietes domitor, a smaller species with body markings similar to Morellia, but with different wing venation.

Stomoxys   

The sole member of the genus Stomoxys calcitrans is one of just three muscids, all of which are in the Stomoxyini tribe, that have rigid projecting mouthparts designed for piercing skin in order to suck blood. Commonly known as the Stable Fly, this species typically occurs around stables and farm buildings where it can often be found resting on walls or posts, or in the case of the individual featured here, on a timber gate into grazing pasture. Although it's normal target will be horses, cows or other farm animals, it will occasionally bite humans.  

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