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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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

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 22 Nov. 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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!