Blue Bottle Fly

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Calliphora vomitoria: /kəˈlɪfərə voʊˈmɪtɔːriə/

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Summary

Calliphora vomitoria, commonly known as the blue bottle fly, is an important blow fly species for forensic entomology due to its rapid oviposition on carcasses and developmental rates. It is widespread and plays a role in both pollination and decomposition processes.

Physical Characteristics

Blue bottle flies typically 10–14 mm long, with dull gray head and thorax, long yellow-orange setae on the back of the head, a bright metallic blue abdomen with black markings, short aristate antennae, four tarsi per leg, and red eyes. They are nearly twice the size of a housefly, with black bristly hairs on the body and legs, and a bright purple chest with protective spikes.

Identification Tips

Can be distinguished from Calliphora vicina by the presence of orange hairs ('orange cheeks') below the eyes and a dark basicosta (base of the wing). Easy to identify through photographs.

Habitat

Prefers rural areas in winter and summer, and riparian areas in spring and fall. Found in various environments where carcasses are present.

Distribution

Found throughout Europe, most of North America, Alaska, Greenland, southern Mexico, and southern Africa. Temperature significantly affects distribution, with higher abundance in spring and summer.

Diet

Adults feed on nectar, while larvae feed on rotting animal remains, garbage, or feces. Larvae grow better on processed substrates than unprocessed ones.

Life Cycle

Complete metamorphosis: egg, larva, pupa, adult. Development takes about 2 weeks. Adults emerge to mate and cycle repeats. The average adult lifespan is about 10–14 days, but they can hibernate in cold.

Reproduction

Females lay eggs in decaying matter, enabling larvae to feed immediately upon hatching. High larval density increases oviposition rate among females due to competition.

Ecosystem Role

Important forensic insects as they help estimate time of death by their oviposition and development rates.

Economic Impact

Sometimes pollinate crops, but can also transmit pathogens, affecting agriculture.

Health Concerns

Can cause myiasis, parasitizing living individuals, including humans.

Collecting Methods

• Light traps
• Pitfall traps
• Hand collection

Preservation Methods

• Ethanol
• Drying
• Refrigeration

Similar Taxa

• Calliphora vicina

Misconceptions

Often confused with other Calliphora species; identification requires careful examination of morphological traits or molecular methods.

Tags

• forensics
• pollination
• insects
• entomology
• biodiversity