Blue-green Bottle Fly
Lucilia coeruleiviridis
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Diptera
- Superfamily: Oestroidea
- Family: Calliphoridae
- Genus: Lucilia
- Species: coeruleiviridis
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Lucilia coeruleiviridis: /luˈsɪliə koɪˌruːliˈvɪrɪdɪs/
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Summary
Lucilia coeruleiviridis, commonly known as the Blue-green Bottle Fly, is a metallic blue-green blow fly that plays a significant role in decomposition. Notable for its presence in forensic entomology, it helps in time of death estimations by arriving early to carcasses. Its life cycle and behavior are crucial for research in both medical and forensic contexts. Found predominantly in the southeastern U.S., it prefers necrotic tissue, aiding in wound healing processes in controlled therapies.
Physical Characteristics
Metallic blue-green body, white facial region, large red compound eyes, evenly paired thoracic bristles, black anterior spiracle and thoracic posterior spiracle, yellow basicosta, unequal white calypters, brown to black legs with slightly yellow tarsal pulvilli.
Identification Tips
Presence of two pairs of postsutural archostichal bristles; males have a very narrow frons; coloration and bristle patterns are key for identification; the pair of bristles on the thoracic plate can help distinguish it from similar species.
Habitat
Widespread in the southern United States, particularly in decaying organic matter.
Distribution
Ubiquitous in the southeastern United States, with a distribution extending to southern Ontario, excluding the Northwestern United States.
Diet
Necrophagous; larvae nourish on decaying organic matter such as animal remains.
Life Cycle
The life cycle consists of egg, three larval instars, and the pupal stage. Eggs are deposited near natural openings or wounds of carcasses and hatch within approximately twelve hours. Larvae feed for eleven to twenty days before pupation, which lasts six to twelve days.
Reproduction
A female flies can lay thousands of eggs in her lifetime. Eggs are deposited in decaying substances or on carcasses.
Ecosystem Role
Important decomposer; facilitates nutrient recycling by feeding on decomposing matter.
Cultural Significance
Culturally associated with death due to their presence on decomposing bodies; linked to fables predicting death.
Health Concerns
Larvae prefer necrotic tissue and are used in Maggot Debridement Therapy (MDT), though Lucilia sericata is more commonly used for this purpose.
Collecting Methods
- Sweep netting
- Trap collection
- Direct observation around carcasses
Preservation Methods
- Ethanol preservation
- Freezing
- Drying
Evolution
Belongs to the family Calliphoridae, which includes other prominent blowflies, evolving alongside relationships with carrion and decomposition.
Misconceptions
Commonly confused with other Lucilia species; may be mistakenly believed to be attracted to living tissue.
Tags
- Forensic entomology
- Decomposition
- Blow fly
- Calliphoridae
- Necrophagous