Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Calliphoridae
Genus: Calliphora
Species: C. vomitoria
Binomial name: Calliphora vomitoria
Synonyms: Calliphora rubrifrons, Musca obscoena, Musca vomitoria
Common name: Bluebottle, Blue Bottle Fly.
Calliphora vomitoria are from the Blow Fly family Calliphoridae. They are larger than house flies, growing about 6–12mm in length. Their head and thorax are grey; the abdomen is bright metallic blue. They have reddish eyes and clear wings.
This fly breeds on dead animals or meat, living animals with open wounds, animal faeces or some other decaying matter. After mating, the female Calliphora vomitoria lay eggs in the same place she feeds. The eggs hatch in 0–18 hrs (partial development may occur within the female). The larvas (maggots) are similar to the house fly larva in all respects except size. They are 18 mm long when mature and live for 7 – 12 days before pupation. The larva is whitish with small black hooks to tear flesh with. Their saliva helps dissolve the flesh so they can eat it more easily. When mature the larvae crawl away to a dry place and burrow into the soil. They then become tough brown cocoons (pupae) from which a fly emerges after two or three weeks.
Calliphora vomitoria are found worldwide and live just about anywhere, including woods, fields, parks, and farms. They seem to prefer shady places.
Close up of head and mouthparts.
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