Petroleum Fly vs Fleshfly (Dux)
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Petroleum Fly | Fleshfly (Dux) |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Helaeomyia petrolei | Sarcophaga dux |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Ephydridae | Sarcophagidae |
| Size | 5 mm | 10-16 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Woodlands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Detritivores |
| Regions | North America | Tropical Asia, Pacific Islands, Australia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Petroleum Fly
The only insect whose larvae develop in crude petroleum. Found in natural oil seeps in California, including the La Brea Tar Pits. Larvae eat insects trapped in the oil.
Did You Know?
This is the only animal on Earth that develops in crude oil — a substance toxic to virtually all other life. Its larvae swim through petroleum and breathe through snorkel-like tubes.
Fleshfly (Dux)
A large gray flesh fly common across tropical Asia and the Pacific that is an important cause of wound myiasis and secondary myiasis of the ear and nose. Females deposit live larvae directly into wounds and body cavities. It is frequently associated with unsanitary conditions in tropical urban areas.
Did You Know?
Cases of aural myiasis caused by this fly, where larvae infest the ear canal, are regularly reported in tropical Asian hospitals.