ABSTRACT
H. aenescens and H. ignava are bright bluish-black or brassy-black garbage flies or dump flies, better known as Ophyra species. The name of Ophyra leucostoma has changed twice in the last few years. The specific name ignava was proved to be a senior synonym of leucostoma. As early as 1923, Sfeguy wrote about the carnivorous habits of Ophyra leucostoma. Derbeneva-Ukhova regarded O. leucostoma larvae as useful predators against larvae of other species of filth flies, as did Leikina for the larvae of O. capensis. Hennig and Skidmore are good sources for the old literature concerning their morphology, taxonomy and ecology. The killing effect of H. ignava larvae was not obviously detectable against Fannia canicularis, the second most important fly in caged-layer houses in our country. The mortality of M. domestica increased to almost 100% if its first instars were reared together with second instars of H. aenescens.
