The Tiny Flies That Haunt Coffins

Phorid flies are famous for running away instead of flying when threatened. Known as coffin flies, some species are so persistent they can infiltrate underground burial sites to lay their eggs.

These insects are masters of stealth, often scurrying across surfaces with surprising speed rather than taking to the air. Their morbid nickname comes from their unique ability to locate and access bodies buried deep underground. This family includes everything from the world's smallest known fly to widespread species that seem to thrive almost anywhere on Earth. They are a perfect example of how evolution creates specialized survivors in the most unexpected places.