There are many species of Phorid flies.

Apocephalus borealis, the parasitizing Phorid fly recently identified on the West Coast of the U.S. and in Vermont, is not the species that feeds on dead honeybees, or other dead animals.

There is also a Phorid fly that parasitizes Fire Ants and was promoted as a control in the South by the USDA. That is also a different species of Phorid fly, and not a Frankensteinian evil runaway act of the USDA.

We are still determining the range and impact of Apocephalus borealis, and with the cold snap most everywhere, we will likely need to wait until the upcoming April or May to see the re-emergence of A. borealis. They spiked heavily in October on the West Coast.

Read all about Apocephalus borealis, and watch several informative short videos about its parasitism practices and impact. Horrifying to watch, but good to know about.

The Phorids which consume dead things can be used in crime labs to ascertain length of time from death. 

ZombeeWatch.org is the source for great information about Apocephalus borealis.





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