Sarcophaga africa
Species of fly
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sarcophaga (Bercaea) africa is a species of fly belonging to the family Sarcophagidae, the flesh-flies. It is the best known species in its genus.[3] S. africa feeds on living and dead tissue, including snails, and other decomposing matter, and feces.[3][4]
| Sarcophaga africa | |
|---|---|
| |
| Sarcophaga africa on a leaf in Portugal | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Clade: | Pancrustacea |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Family: | Sarcophagidae |
| Genus: | Sarcophaga |
| Subgenus: | Bercaea |
| Species: | S. africa |
| Binomial name | |
| Sarcophaga africa | |
| Synonyms | |
Sarcophaga africa is a synanthropic species known to cause myiasis in humans[3][5] and livestock.[3] The species is considered useful in forensic entomology due to this quality.[6][7] S. africa is coprophagus, lays eggs in feces, and can be cultured from human and animal feces.[3] The fly also lays eggs in decaying flesh and can be cultured from the decaying matter.[3]
