DIPTERA > BRACHYCERA | Higher Diptera

MUSCOMORPHA > SCHIZOPHORA > Calyptratae > Muscoidea > Scathophagidae (55 species)

(subfamilies: Delininae and Scathophaginae)

This page covers all of the Scathophaga species that could realistically be found in my general area. There are ten species on the British list, although Steven Falk actually refers to eleven, but some, such as Scathophaga calida are only found further north, in this case mainly from North Wales and Scotland. If I've done my homework correctly there are seven species that I need to consider: 

Scathophaga inquinata - a medium, although variably sized species with wholly orange antennae bearing a plumose arista, a mainly orange-red frons and legs that are usually entirely orange-yellow. It is very similar to Scathophaga lutaria and not always separable. Typical males have a grey thorax with either grey or yellow humeri, a mostly orange-yellow abdomen and yellow tinged wings.  Females are generally darker with the thorax, humeri and scutellum concolourous grey, the abdomen more of a yellow-grey darkened on the base and hind margins of the tergites, and lacking the conspicuous hair pile of the males.  

Regarded as widespread and fairly common; in the south favouring shaded, often damper habitats, particularly where there are plenty of nettles, such as in woodland or scrub, but in the north it's more likely to be found on open moorland. The larvae develop in dung.

Scathophaga lutaria (not featured) - this species has been recorded locally, but not as frequently as the previous species, although that could be due to the fact that intermediate forms can occur making identification unreliable. They tend to be more on the large size and, in typical specimens, with the thorax described as grey-brown/olive as opposed to the more consistent grey colouration of Scathophaga inquinata. They occur in similar habitat and, according to Steven Falk, the two species may be found together.  

Scathophaga scybalaria - with males that can be quite impressive due to their size, which is a fair bit larger than any of the other described species. They have long, orange-brown tinted wings where veins R4+5 and M1+2 are convergent, proportionally long orange legs and upright yellowish-orange hairs on the tergites. Smaller males and females are less distinctive, often with a more olive appearance and paler wings. The females could possibly be confused with Scathophaga inquinata or lutaria, but the wing venation alone should confirm. Another distinguishing feature that may well be difficult to properly determine in photos is that the metapleural bridge under the thorax above the hind coxae is broad and complete.

This species is quite scarce and only seems to occur in a few places, notably from Wales and locally from the New Forest / Christchurch Harbour area where it is strongly associated with wet heath, damp meadows and coastal marsh where cattle and/or horses are allowed to graze. The larvae develop in dung, but this species requires the dung to remain wet so prefer areas with damp humid conditions where it does not dry out. Interestingly, the individual featured below was photographed at one of the locations where Steven Falk photographed them just a few years ago.   

Scathophaga furcata - a reasonably distinctive, medium-sized, generally darkish species with a brownish-grey thorax, variable grey to extensively orange-yellow abdomen, wings with clouded cross-veins, and brownish-yellow legs with a dark streak on the front femora. The sexes can be difficult to separate.

Our second most frequently recorded scathophagid species, widespread and occurring in a variety of habitats, but generally in more shaded and humid locations than Scathophaga stercoraria. Like most of these species, the adults breed in dung but, in this case, with a preference for sheep dung. 

Scathophaga stercoraria - fresh males of the species are bright golden-yellow with a furry abdomen and legs, whereas the smaller females are duller and more green-brown in colour and far less furry. Smaller males are darker with a less obvious pile on the abdomen.

Widespread and common in most areas. Adults can be found right through the year including mild winter days as can be seen from a couple of the photos below. Although they regularly visit flowers, they are usually spotted on foliage ready to pounce on any unsuspecting prey, which are more often than not other fly species. The larvae of this species develop in a wide range of dung including that of cattle, horses or sheep to wild deer, dogs or even human faeces.  

Scathophaga suilla - highly variable in both size and colour, but typically on the small side with a wing length of around 6mm, slim, long-legged, with the lower sides of the thorax distinctly pale compared with the darker brownish- grey dorsal surface. The tergites may vary from dark to entirely yellow or, in the case of the females, yellow with dark bands. The femora are entirely orange and the wing cross-veins are infuscated.

Widespread, but more frequent in the north and west, although also recorded from the Fens, Broads and general New Forest area. It is particularly associated with wet areas, such as damp woodland.

Scathophaga litorea - a rather nondescript, darkish grey species with a pair of broad brownish-coloured stripes on top of the thorax separated by a paler median band, an extensively orange frons, and mid and hind femora that may vary from almost entirely darkish grey to brownish-yellow, but with the tibiae always brownish-yellow to orangish. Could be confused with Scathophaga calida in areas where both species occur.

Commonly known as the Strandline Dungfly, typically occurring in coastline habitats such as on beaches and rocky shores where the strandline has accumulations of rotting seaweed and decaying vegetation where the larvae develop. Also found in the longer vegetation of upper saltmarsh and coastal grazing levels where it may be locally abundant. Adults visit various flowers and can be recorded during any month of the year.

Updated Nov.24 (v.2)