---

The primary character that separates the Families: Tachinidae, Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae, and Rhinophoridae from similar-looking flies in the Families: Muscidae, Anthomyiidae, Scathophagidae; and many other families
is the presence of a row of setae at the posterior edge of the meron (m).
The meron is a sclerite on the pleuron of the mesothorax lying just above and posterior to the coxa of the middle leg, below the calypteres and below and anterior to the halter.
- h halter
- m meron
Top image is a Sarcophagid,
Bottom image is a Muscid (left), note the bare meron (m);
and, on the right, a close-up of the Sarcophagid. Note the obvious 4 long black setae on the posterior edge of the meron (m).