Flies in the family
Sarcophagidae (from the
Greek σάρκο
sarco- =
flesh, φάγε
phage = eating; the same roots as the word "
sarcophagus") are commonly known as
flesh flies. They differ from most flies in that they are
ovoviviparous, opportunistically depositing hatched or hatching maggots instead of eggs on
carrion, dung, decaying material, or open wounds of mammals, hence their common name. Some flesh fly larvae are internal
parasites of other insects such as
Orthoptera, and some, in particular the
Miltogramminae, are
kleptoparasites of solitary
Hymenoptera.