Muscoid Fly – Schizophora

Pliocene

Rita Blanca Formation

Oldham County, TX USA.

7mm muscoid fly on 72mm slab.

Insect.

Schizophora is a group of true flies (Order Diptera) that accounts for a large number and diversity of species (housefly, blowflies, etc.).  One study concluded that the group dated back the beginning of the Cenozoic Era.

The term “muscoid” refers to the Superfamily Muscoidea which includes over 7000 species.  It is the more technical term while Schizophora is more of an old and less formal term that is still used for basically the same group.