Cheese fly

The cheese fly (Piophila casei) is a species of fly whose larvae are known for infesting human foodstuffs including cured meats, smoked or salted fish, cheeses and also carrion. The larvae of this fly are known as cheese skippers, bacon skippers, ham skippers, etc. due to their ability to launch themselves several inches into the air when alarmed or disturbed. In the Mediterranean island of Sardinia, the larvae are intentionally introduced into pecorino cheese to produce the characteristic casu marzu ("rotten cheese" in Sardinian). When consumed, the larvae can survive in the intestine, causing enteric myiasis.[1]

This article is about the fly species. For the family, see Piophilidae.

Cheese fly
Piophila casei
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Diptera
Family:
Piophilidae
Subfamily:
Piophilinae
Tribe:
Piophilini
Genus:
Piophila
Species:
P. casei
Binomial name
Piophila casei

Description

Mesonotum finely chagrined, not pubescent and with three lines of longitudinal chaetules. "Soies ocellaires écartées l'une de l'autre" [post-vertical orbital bristles present and divergent]. Abdomen is elliptical. Anterior margin of inter ocular space is reddish or orange. Face reddish. Cheeks wide.[2] The wings are faintly iridescent and lie flat upon the fly's abdomen when at rest. 4 mm (0.16 in) long.

References
  1. Peckenscneider, L.E.; Polorny, C.; Hellwig, C.A. (May 17, 1952). "Intestinal infestation with maggots of the cheese fly (Piophila casei)". JAMA. 149 (3): 262–263. doi:10.1001/jama.1952.72930200005011b. PMID 14927333.
  2. Séguy, E. (1934) Diptères: Brachycères. II. Muscidae acalypterae, Scatophagidae. Paris: Éditions Faune de France 28 Bibliotheque Virtuelle Numerique pdf
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