Calyptrate Fly

Pliocene

Rita Blanca Formation

Oldham County, TX USA.

6mm calyptrate fly on 68mm slab.

Insect.

Calyptrate flies belong to the Superfamily Muscoidea a group of true flies (Order Diptera) that accounts for over 7000 species including many that are considered pests (housefly, bot flies, blowflies, etc.).   These flies date back to the Early Paleocene.

Calyptrate flies have also been traditionally classified as a group (Calyptrata) that includes several families but this view of the world of the flies seems to be the less-accepted one today..