Bush Flies - Family Muscidae

This page contains pictures and information about Bush Flies that we found in the Brisbane area, Queensland, Australia.



Flies in family Muscidae are either grey or metallic green in colours. They are small to medium in size. Those grey muscids have two stripes on their back. The Common House Fly Musca domestica is also in this family.

Adults are either blood or sweat feeders although a few of them are predators of other insects.

Most Bush Fly species develop as maggots in the animals dung or other decaying materials.

Subfamily Muscinae

Flies in this group can be distinguished by wing vein M1+2 bent forwards with angle and reaching R4+5. They are either grey or metallic green in colours.

Common Bush Fly

Musca sp., (Musca vetustissima ?), mating couple, body length 10mm and 12mm
Pictures were taken near Moolabin Creek in mid summer. Please also check this page for more information.


Blue Fly, Black Garbage Fly or Dump Fly

Ophyra sp., body length 5mm
We usually found them rest on leaves in dense forest. Please also check this page for more details.


Small Green Fly

Neomyia sp., body length 6mm
This green fly is medium in size and metallic green on colour. Please check this page for more information.


Grey Bush Fly

? Haematobia sp., body length 8mm
1. Northern Territory Insects, A Comprehensive Guide CD - Graham Brown, 2009.

Flies in this group can be distinguished by wing vein M1+2 straight, although a few species have M1+2 bent forwards with angle and reaching R4+5.

Orange Bush Fly I

Dichaetomyia johannis, body length 8mm
This Grey Bush Fly is medium in size. It is orange brown in colours with red brown eyes. Its abdomen and legs are grey-yellow.


Orange Bush Fly II






Grey Bush Fly I

? Atherigona sp., body length 8mm
This Grey Bush Fly is medium in size. It is dark grey in colours with dark brown eyes. From its wing veins we believe it is a bush fly in Phaoniinae. Please check this page for more information.


Grey Bush Fly II

? Atherigona sp., body length 8mm
We saw this fly once and did not find any information on this fly.

Grey Bush Fly III

Pygophora sp., body length 8mm
This Grey Bush Fly is medium in size. It is light grey in colours with red brown eyes. Its abdomen and legs are grey-yellow. From its wing veins we believe it is a bush fly in Phaoniinae.


Reference:
1. Insects of Australia, CSIRO, Division of Entomology, Melbourne University Press, 2nd Edition 1991, p780.
2. Insects of Australia and New Zealand - R. J. Tillyard, Angus & Robertson, Ltd, Sydney, 1926, p375.
3. On the Fly, The Interactive Atlas and Key to Australian Fly Families CD Rom - Hamilton, J. et al. 2006. Brisbane : CBIT & ABRS.
4. Family MUSCIDAE - Australian Biological Resources Study, Australian Faunal Directory.
5. Family Muscidae - By Adrian C. Pont, 2007. Australasian/Oceanian Diptera Catalog - Web Version.
6. Northern Territory Insects, A Comprehensive Guide CD - Graham Brown, 2009.