Metallic-flies
Guides
Calliphoridae
blow flies, blow-flies, carrion flies, bluebottles, greenbottles, cluster flies
Calliphoridae is a large family of Diptera containing approximately 1,900 described species with worldwide distribution. Adults are typically recognized by their metallic blue, green, or black coloration. The family exhibits diverse life histories including saprophagy, facultative parasitism, and obligatory myiasis. Larvae of most species develop in carrion and dung, making them ecologically important decomposers and forensically significant indicators of post-mortem intervals. Several species have substantial economic and medical importance: Lucilia cuprina causes flystrike in Australian sheep, Cochliomyia hominivorax was a major screwworm pest before eradication in North America, and Lucilia sericata is used in maggot debridement therapy for wound treatment.
Condylostylus
long-legged flies
Condylostylus is a large genus of predatory flies in the family Dolichopodidae, comprising over 250 species and representing the second largest genus in the subfamily Sciapodinae. The genus exhibits exceptional diversity in the Neotropical realm, where approximately 70% of species occur. Members are small to medium-sized dolichopodids, typically displaying metallic coloration and characteristic long-legged morphology. The genus includes species with documented potential as biological control agents in agricultural settings.
Dolichopodidae
long-legged flies, longlegged flies
Dolichopodidae, the long-legged flies, is a large cosmopolitan family of true flies (Diptera) comprising over 8,000 described species in approximately 250 genera. Members are typically small (1–10 mm), often metallic green, blue, or bronze, with characteristically long and slender legs. Adults are predominantly predatory on small invertebrates. The family is particularly diverse in North America, with nearly 60 genera and about 1,300 species. Many species inhabit moist environments near water margins, though others occupy terrestrial habitats including tree trunks and foliage.