Calliphora

Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830

bluebottle flies, blow flies, bottle flies

Species Guides

Calliphora alaskensis
Calliphora coloradensis
Calliphora latifrons(blue bottle fly)
Calliphora livida(slow-flying and loud-buzzing blue bottle fly)
Calliphora loewi
Calliphora terraenovae(New World blue bottle fly)
Calliphora vicina(Blue Blowfly)
Calliphora vomitoria(blue bottle fly)

Calliphora is the type of the blow fly Calliphoridae, established in 1830. are recognized by their metallic blue and dull grey to black . The genus is globally distributed with highest diversity in Australia. Several , particularly C. vicina, C. vomitoria, and C. livida, are among the most important insects in due to their predictable of carrion.

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

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

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

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Calliphora: /kæˈlɪfərə/

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

Identification

Distinguished from other blow fly by the combination of: metallic blue abdominal coloration (rarely purple or green); dull grey to black with heavy microtomentum; bare or sparsely setose suprasquamal ridge; and first flagellomere more than twice the length. Larvae identified by the thick, unbroken peritreme of and presence of an accessory between mouth hooks. -level identification of larvae is difficult and typically requires rearing to or molecular methods.

Images

Appearance

have a grey or black dulled by heavy microtomentum. The is metallic blue, rarely purple or green, sometimes also dulled by microtomentum. The suprasquamal ridge is bare or bears only inconspicuous fine setae. The first flagellomere of the is more than twice the length of the . Larvae possess two with a thick, unbroken peritreme containing straight slits, and an accessory between the mouth hooks (not visible in whole larvae).

Distribution

Found in most parts of the world; highest diversity in Australia. Widespread in North America, Europe, and elsewhere. Specific distribution records include Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and the United States (Vermont).

Behavior

Calliphora vomitoria has been observed executing inverted landings on ceilings using visually mediated rotational maneuvers, including pitch, roll, or combined movements triggered by expansion of visual cues as the surface approaches.

Ecological Role

Active decomposers that colonize carrion rapidly. Some arrive at corpses and lay within minutes after death, making them important for estimating minimum post-mortem intervals in forensic investigations.

Human Relevance

Several are critically important to , particularly for estimating time since death. Calliphora vicina is the blow fly in forensic investigations of human deaths in Great Britain. Larvae of C. vicina (marketed as fish ) have been used in educational "Maggot Art" activities since 2001. The has inspired biomimetic research for robotic drone design, specifically for inverted landing capabilities.

Similar Taxa

other Calliphoridae generaCalliphora is distinguished by its metallic blue (rarely purple/green) versus the green or bronze coloration typical of Lucilia, and by antennal proportions and thoracic microtomentum patterns
LuciliaBoth are blow flies with metallic coloration, but Lucilia typically shows green or bronze rather than blue, and differs in antennal and thoracic setation details