Phorid Fly

Scientific Name: Family Phoridae

Order & Family: Order: Diptera, Family: Phoridae

Size: 0.5 to 5.5 mm (1/64 to 1/4 inch)

Phorid Fly

Natural Habitat

Moist decaying organic matter, sewer pipes, drains, and rotting vegetation

Diet & Feeding

Decaying organic material, fungi, and occasionally other insects

Behavior Patterns

Known for a characteristic rapid, scuttling run rather than immediate flight when disturbed; often called hump-backed flies due to their arched thorax

Risks & Benefits

Can be a nuisance pest in homes and hospitals; potentially spreads bacteria from unsanitary habitats to food surfaces, though they also play a role in decomposition ecosystem processes

Identified on: 5/12/2026