Common Green Bottle Fly
Lucilia sericata
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Diptera
- Superfamily: Oestroidea
- Family: Calliphoridae
- Genus: Lucilia
- Species: sericata
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Lucilia sericata: /luˈkɪliə ˌsɛrɪˈkɑːtə/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Summary
Lucilia sericata, the Common Green Bottle Fly, is a widely distributed blowfly significant for its role in decomposition and forensic science. The larvae are crucial for maggot therapy in medicine, while adults contribute to pollination and can cause myiasis in livestock.
Physical Characteristics
Adults are 10–14 mm in length, with a metallic blue-green or golden coloration and black markings. They have short, sparse, black bristles (setae) and three cross-grooves on the thorax. Legs and antennae are black, and the wings are clear with light brown veins.
Identification Tips
Distinguished by three bristles on the dorsal mesothorax. L. sericata is blue-black compared to L. cuprina, which has a metallic green femoral joint in the first pair of legs. L. sericata has one to nine occipital bristles, while L. cuprina has three or less.
Habitat
Common in warm and moist climates, favoring coastal regions but can also be found in arid areas. Prefers lower elevations relative to other Calliphoridae species.
Distribution
Holarctic and Neotropical regions, common from southern Canada to Argentina.
Diet
Larvae feed exclusively on dead organic tissue, while adults feed on nectar, pollen, feces, and carrion.
Life Cycle
The lifecycle includes egg, larval (three instars), prepupal, pupal, and adult stages. The total lifecycle typically lasts 2 to 3 weeks, with three or four generations each year in temperate climates.
Reproduction
Females lay 150–200 eggs per clutch, typically laying eggs in carrion. Eggs hatch within 9 hours to 3 days.
Ecosystem Role
Important in decomposition and as pollinators. Larvae are used in forensic entomology and maggot therapy for wound cleaning.
Economic Impact
In the UK, affects an estimated 1 million sheep and 80% of sheep farms annually due to blowfly strike, causing significant economic loss for farmers.
Health Concerns
Larvae can cause myiasis in livestock and pets. Also used in maggot therapy, potentially beneficial for wound healing.
Collecting Methods
- Trap with sugary bait
- Hand collection when observed on carrion
Preservation Methods
- Preservation in 70% alcohol
- Freezing samples for long-term storage
Similar Taxa
Misconceptions
It is often incorrectly believed that L. sericata lays eggs in wounds, rather than in carrion.
Tags
- Lucilia sericata
- Common Green Bottle Fly
- forensic entomology
- maggot therapy