Oestroidea is a superfamily of Calyptratae that includes the blow flies, bot flies, flesh flies, and their relatives. It occurs worldwide and has about 15,000 described species.
Evolution and phylogeny
thumb|right|[[Mesembrinella caenozoica holotype male, fossil in Dominican amber]]The earliest known fossil of Oestroidea is of a Mesembrinellidae found in Dominican amber from the Miocene. The Oestroidea in general are believed to have originated 48.2 million years ago.
Historically, Oestroidea was considered the sister group to Muscoidea. Various species of Calliphoridae, Oestridae and Sarcophagidae have larvae that parasitise vertebrates, causing myiasis.
Forensic entomology
Many species of Oestroidea are of forensic importance due to feeding on decomposing animals, including humans.