Main Families
Some of the most representative families:
- Calliphoridae – Metallic flies (blue or green), often necrophagous or facultative parasites.
- Sarcophagidae – Gray flies with thoracic stripes; some species can cause myiasis.
- Tachinidae – Parasitoid flies targeting other insects, important in biological control.
- Oestridae – Internal parasites of animals, causing obligatory myiasis.
Habitat
Oestroidea are found in a variety of environments:
- Areas rich in organic matter (carcasses, feces)
- Alpine pastures, meadows, and forests
- Rural or peri-urban zones
- Habitats linked to livestock and farming
Biology
Adults may be flower-visiting, necrophagous, coprophagous, or parasitic. Larvae are often adapted to extreme environments: living tissues, decomposing matter, insect hosts. Some species are viviparous, laying larvae instead of eggs. They have major ecological, medical, and forensic significance.
Representative illustrations of this superfamily will be added soon.