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Calliphora spp.,
Phaenicia spp., etc.
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Calliphoridae
Size
Blow fly and bottle fly adults are about 1/8-5/8 in (4-16
mm) long, the size of a house fly, or slightly larger. Mature
larvae are about 3/8-7/8 in (9-22 mm) long.
Characteristics
Blow flies and bottle flies have sponging mouthparts; antennae
are feathery, at least on the bottom two thirds. Larvae are eyeless,
legless, tapered from large, rounded rear segment to head, which
is a pair of dark hooks.
Color
Adults are partly or wholly metallic blue, green, or dull
brassy, sometimes black. Larvae are pale yellow to white.
Comparison with other species
Cluster fly has a dull body, tan to brownish black, with
golden hairs on thorax. Secondary screwworm fly has bluish green
body, orange head, reddish legs, and 3 black stripes on thorax.
Screwworm fly has metallic black body, legs shiny green-black,
3 black stripes on thorax (middle one shorter). Dump flies have
bluish black to shiny and bronzy black body. Flesh fly and House
fly have dull gray and black bodies, and thorax with 3 or 4 black
stripes.
Habitat
Same as food source!
Food
Meat; animal carcasses, especially those of birds and other small
animals; excrement; decaying vegetation; garbage.
Biology
Females lay their eggs on material which larvae will eat.
Larvae may feed on the surface, then burrow into less decayed
material underneath. They go through 3 instars, leaving the food
material in order to pupate. Most species pupate within the top
2" of soil. Usually they overwinter as mature larvae or pupae.
Development time from egg to adult varies, depending on species
and temperature conditions, but usually takes between 10 to 25
days.
Damage
Bottle flies and blow flies transmit disease
Invasion
Blow and bottle flies are most active on warm, sunny days.
They rest on cool or cloudy days. They are attracted to light
coming through windows. Some species are strong fliers, such as
some black blow flies that were found 4-28 miles from their starting
point.
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