Editing Sepsidae (section)

{{Short description|Family of flies}}
{{automatic taxobox
| image = Sepsis fulgens01.jpg
| image_caption = ''[[Sepsis fulgens]]'' (lesser dung fly)
| display_parents = 3
| taxon = Sepsidae
| authority = [[Francis Walker (entomologist)|Walker]], 1833
| subdivision_ranks = Genera
| subdivision = See text
}}

The '''Sepsidae''' are a [[family (biology)|family]] of [[Fly|flies]], commonly called the '''black scavenger flies''' or '''ensign flies'''. Over 300 species are described worldwide.<ref>Ang, Y. and R. Meier. (2010). [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3088448/ Five additions to the list of Sepsidae (Diptera) for Vietnam: ''Perochaeta cuirassa'' sp. n., ''Perochaeta lobo'' sp. n., ''Sepsis spura'' sp. n., ''Sepsis sepsi'' Ozerov, 2003 and ''Sepsis monostigma'' Thompson, 1869.] ''ZooKeys'' 70 41-56.</ref> They are usually found around dung or decaying plant and animal material. Many species [[ant mimicry|resemble ants]], having a "waist" and glossy black body. Many Sepsidae have a curious wing-waving habit made more apparent by dark patches at the wing end.

Many  species have a very wide distribution, reflecting  the [[coprophagous]] habit of most Sepsidae.  Some species have been spread over large territories in association with livestock. Adult flies are found mostly on mammal [[Feces|excrement]], including that of humans (less often on other rotting organic matter), where eggs are laid and [[larva]]e develop, and on nearby vegetation, carrion, fermenting tree sap, and shrubs and herbs.

Many Sepsidae apparently play an important biological role as decomposers of mammal and other animal excrement. Some species may have a limited hygienic importance because of their association with human feces. Others are useful tools in [[forensic entomology]].