Blow Fly, Carrion Fly, or Cluster Fly (specific species cannot be determined from the image)
Scientific Name: Various species within Calliphoridae (e.g., Calliphora vomitoria, Lucilia sericata)
Order & Family: Order: Diptera, Family: Calliphoridae
Size: Typically 4-16 mm (0.16-0.63 inches)
Natural Habitat
Globally distributed, found in diverse environments including urban areas, forests, grasslands, and near carrion sources. Typically thrive in warm, moist conditions.
Diet & Feeding
Adult blow flies feed on nectar, decaying organic matter, and various sugary substances. Larvae (maggots) are primarily scavengers, feeding on carrion, decaying flesh, and sometimes living tissue (myiasis).
Behavior Patterns
Blow flies are often among the first insects to arrive at a carcass. Females lay eggs on decomposing organic matter. The larvae develop rapidly, going through several instars before pupating. Some species are attracted to lights and may cluster indoors in cool weather.
Risks & Benefits
Potential risks include being vectors for pathogens (e.g., bacteria causing food poisoning), causing myiasis in humans and animals (infestation of living tissue by maggots), and can be a nuisance. Benefits include their crucial role as decomposers, aiding in the breakdown of carrion, and their use in forensic entomology to estimate time of death due to their predictable life cycles on carcasses.
Identified on: 9/19/2025