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flesh fly
noun
: a dipteran fly whose maggots feed on flesh
especially
: any of a family (Sarcophagidae) of flies some of which cause myiasis
Examples of flesh fly in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For the half-inch-long flesh fly larva, childhood is often a brutal experience.
—Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
The rotten smell attracts pollinators including flesh flies, dung beetles, and other carnivorous insects.
—Daniel Kool, BostonGlobe.com, 23 July 2023
In the wild, smelling like a dead animal helps corpse flowers attract pollinators like carrion beetles and flesh flies, which lay their eggs or larvae in animal carcasses or rotting fruit.
—Victoria Sayo Turner, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 July 2023
Dung beetles, flesh flies and other carnivorous insects that eat dead flesh are attracted to the odor in the plant’s native Sumatra.
—oregonlive.com, 15 July 2019
For just two days, the flower will emit the rotting corpse scent that, in the rainforest, attracts native carrion-consuming beetles and flesh flies that pollinate the tiny florets at its center to produce seed berries.
—Pam Kragen, sandiegouniontribune.com, 15 Sep. 2017
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Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of flesh fly was
in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near flesh fly
Cite this Entry
“Flesh fly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flesh%20fly. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.
Medical Definition
flesh fly
noun
: a dipteran fly whose maggots feed on flesh
especially
: any of the family Sarcophagidae of flies some of which cause myiasis
More from Merriam-Webster on flesh fly
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flesh fly
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