Extension > Garden > Diagnose a problem > What insect is this? > Insects found indoors > Winged Insects - Less than 1/4 inch long > Humpbacked flies(also called phorid flies)

Humpbacked flies (phorid flies)

Phoridae

Jeff Hahn, University of Minnesota Extension

University of Wisconsin

Description: 1/8 inch long. Body is brownish with conspicuous hump shape when viewed from the side; wings with few veins; commonly found running erratically.

Where/When: Humpbacked flies are found indoors in any room where decaying organic matter is found, such as trash containers, drains, and plumbing or sewer leaks. They can be found anytime during the year.

Significance: Humpbacked flies are primarily a nuisance because they can occur in large numbers. They are generally not considered a health problem; however, they can potentially be a mechanical vector of disease-causing bacteria.

More information on Humpbacked flies