Calliphorinae

Brauer & Bergenstamm, 1889

bluebottle flies, blow flies

Genus Guides

Bellardia(trixago bartsia)
Calliphora(bluebottle flies)
Cyanus
Cynomya(dog-fly)

A of blow flies (Calliphoridae) distinguished by specific thoracic bristle patterns and typically metallic blue coloration. Members are commonly known as bluebottle flies. The group includes the well-known Calliphora. Historically, several related groups (Bengaliinae, Luciliinae, Polleniinae) were included within Calliphorinae, but these are now treated as separate lineages.

Calliphora vicina by (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Calliphora by (c) Steve Kerr, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Kerr. Used under a CC-BY license.

Calliphora by (c) Andrew Meeds, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Andrew Meeds. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Calliphorinae: /kæˌlɪfəˈraɪni/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Diagnostic combination: bare stem , bristly lower calypter and proepisternal depression, bare or sparsely bristled suprasquamal region. Distinguished from Luciliinae (greenbottles) by blue rather than green abdominal coloration. Distinguished from Polleniidae by thoracic bristle patterns and lack of yellowish, dull seen in Bengaliinae.

Images

Distribution

distribution with present across multiple continents. Records from North America, Europe, Asia, and other regions based on observation data.

Human Relevance

Some (notably Calliphora) are important in for estimating postmortem intervals. The includes that may cause myiasis in humans and animals.

Similar Taxa

LuciliinaeGreenbottle flies with metallic green rather than blue ; now treated as separate
PolleniidaeFormerly included as Polleniinae; cluster flies with different thoracic bristle patterns and
BengaliinaeHave more yellowish and dull rather than shining blue; sometimes historically included in Calliphorinae

More Details

Historical taxonomy

The has undergone significant taxonomic revision. Bengaliinae, Luciliinae, and Polleniinae were formerly included within Calliphorinae but are now recognized as separate lineages, with Polleniinae elevated to rank as Polleniidae.

Selected genera

Includes Acronesia, Acrophaga, Aldrichina, Bellardia, Calliphora, Cynomya, Cyanus, Eucalliphora, and Onesia.