Yellow Dung Fly

Natural Habitat

Pastures, farms, and areas with grazing livestock; specifically seen on or near fresh animal dung.

Diet & Feeding

Adults are predators of other flies (like house flies and blow flies) and also feed on nectar. Larvae (maggots) live in and eat animal dung.

Behavior Patterns

Males congregate on fresh dung to wait for females. They are highly active predators. Females lay eggs in the dung, and the life cycle is closely tied to the availability of fresh manure.

Risks & Benefits

Benefits the ecosystem by helping decompose animal waste and controlling populations of pest flies. They do not bite humans and are generally considered beneficial insects.

Identified on: 4/22/2026