Yellow Dung Fly - Scathophaga stercoraria

One of the most common and widely distributed flies in Britain. The males are golden yellow and furry, whilst females are green/grey and bristly.

• 1 strong sternopleural bristle
• scutellum with 3 pairs of bristles
• 2 supra alar bristles
• arista long haired
• middle tibia with 2 posteroventral and 3 anteroventral bristles

It is very common in cattle farming areas where it breeds in cow dung but it can be found anywhere. It will breed on dung from many animals, including dogs and reindeer! Males congregate, often in large numbers, on fresh cowpats hoping to intercept a female arriving to lay eggs.

March to November peaking in summer, but can be found all year round.

The adult fly is mainly carnivorous and catches smaller insects, though also eats nectar. As the name suggests, this fly lays its eggs on dung where the larvae are predatory on other insect larvae.

Very common and widespread in Britain.

Very common in Leicestershire and Rutland