Oestroidea

Oestroidea is a superfamily of flies in the order Diptera. It is one of the major lineages within the Calyptratae, a large grouping of higher flies that share certain morphological traits. The group is defined by a combination of characters and phylogenetic relationships that unite several diverse lineages of flies.

The superfamily includes several families, among them Calliphoridae (blowflies), Sarcophagidae (flesh flies), Oestridae (botflies), and Tachinidae (tachinid flies). Others have recognized additional, smaller families in the same group. The成员 genera and species within Oestroidea exhibit a wide range of life histories and ecological roles.

Ecology and life histories vary considerably across Oestroidea. Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae are typically scavengers that lay eggs on carrion or feces, and some species are important in forensic entomology for estimating postmortem intervals. Oestridae includes species whose larvae are obligatory parasites of mammals, often developing in tissues or in nasal and sinus passages. Tachinidae are predominantly parasitoids of other insects, laying eggs on or near hosts or using other strategies to ensure larval development inside the host. This diversity of life histories makes the group ecologically influential, particularly in decomposer communities, parasite–host interactions, and biological control contexts.

Distribution and significance: Oestroidea is globally distributed, with higher species diversity in warmer regions. Members of the superfamily have considerable veterinary and medical relevance, from botfly infections to parasitoid activity against pest insects, and they are frequently used in forensic science and ecological studies. Taxonomic boundaries within Oestroidea have varied as new data emerge, but the core groups remain widely recognized.