Flesh fly (Sarcophagidae)

Photomacrograph of the head and thorax of a flesh fly (Sarcophagidae) viewed from the side. A large compound eye (for accurate perception of movement) is visible on the head. They breed on animal flesh, meat, rotting vegetation or manure, and females are viviparous, depositing live maggots directly onto their food source. There are both predaceous and parasitic species of Sarcophagidae. Width of image is 8 mm.