Blowfly
Guides
Chrysomya megacephala
oriental latrine fly, oriental blue fly
Chrysomya megacephala is a warm-weather blowfly with metallic blue-green coloration, notable for its forensic importance in estimating post-mortem intervals due to its rapid colonization of corpses. The species exhibits two distinct forms: a normal forest-dwelling form restricted to South Pacific Islands, and a synanthropic derived form that has spread globally from Papua New Guinea and is closely associated with human environments. It serves as a significant public health concern through its role in causing accidental myiasis and mechanically transmitting pathogens to human food.
Cochliomyia
New World screwworm flies, screwworm flies
Cochliomyia is a genus of blowflies (family Calliphoridae) comprising four species: C. macellaria, C. hominivorax, C. aldrichi, and C. minima. The genus is commonly known as New World screwworm flies, distinguished from Old World screwworms. C. hominivorax, the primary screwworm, is an obligate parasite whose larvae feed on living tissue, causing severe myiasis in livestock, wildlife, and humans. C. macellaria, the secondary screwworm, feeds only on necrotic tissue and carrion. The primary screwworm has been eradicated from North America through the sterile insect technique, though it persists in parts of Central and South America.
Compsomyiops
Compsomyiops is a genus of blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) established by Townsend in 1918. Members are necrophagous and serve as important forensic indicators for postmortem interval estimation. The genus has been documented as a phoretic host for Myianoetus mites (Acari: Histiostomatidae), representing a novel dispersal association for these mites. At least two species are recognized: C. fulvicrura in South America and C. wheeleri in North America.
Protocalliphora sialia
birdnest blowfly
Protocalliphora sialia is a parasitic blowfly that infests the nests of cavity-nesting birds. Larvae are nest-dwelling, intermittent ectoparasites that feed on nestling blood. The species has been documented from multiple host species including tree swallows, eastern bluebirds, and ferruginous pygmy-owls. Wolbachia bacterial infections show geographic variation across the species' range.
Protophormia terraenovae
northern blowfly, blue-bottle fly, blue-assed fly, blackbottle
Protophormia terraenovae is a large, metallic blue-green blowfly with a Holarctic distribution. It is the most cold-tolerant calliphorid species, occurring from the Arctic to temperate regions. The species is economically significant as a cause of myiasis in livestock and valuable in maggot debridement therapy due to its selective consumption of necrotic tissue and antibiotic secretions. Its temperature-dependent development makes it a key forensic indicator for post-mortem interval estimation.