Observations and History of the Blow Fly

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Recommended: Life cycle of blow flies

Blow fly Include a number of species including the common bluebottle fly, Calliphora vomitoria (Linnaeus) the green bottlefly, Phaenicia sericata (Meigen) and others. Adult flies are metallic blue, green, copper or black colored flies that otherwise resemble house flies in appearance. Adult:Blow flies are a diverse group ranging from 6 to 14 mm in length and generally having a metallic sheen to their bodies. The black blow fly has a dark, olive-green body, black legs, and orange pubescence around the mesothoracic spiracles. The secondary screwworm fly also has a green body, but its head is predominantly orange. The body of the green-bottle fly, Phaenicia sericata, is primarily a coppery green with yellowish mouthparts. Lucilia cuprina is a medium sized fly and is mostly a bronze color. All blow flies have blunt mouthparts and do not bite. Egg:The white or pale yellow eggs of blow flies may occur in small batches or large masses. Individual eggs are about 1.5 mm long, elongate and slightly tapered toward one end. Larva:These white to yellowish maggots have pointed heads. They develop through three instars and become 12 to 18 mm long when fully grown. Pupa: Blow fly pupa are encased in light brown to black puparia (the tough, hardened skins of last instar larvae). Each puparium is 9 to 10 mm long and 3 to 4 mm wide. BIOLOGY Distribution:The species of blow flies covered here occur throughout the contiguous states and in many other temperate regions of the world as well. Ideal conditions for the blowfly involve warm, humid weather. They do not like; • cool weather (less than 17°C) • excessive heat (greater than 38°C) • dry climates • wind (greater than 30 km per hour) Feeding Habits -- Most blow fly larvae feed in car... ... middle of paper ... ...apart tissues in which they live. Adults have sponge-like mouthparts similar to those of house flies. Larvae (maggots) primarily feed on dead animals and animal refuge. Some feed on vegetation and others are obligatory parasites. These flies are attracted to any type of fresh meat or road kill left in the field. Pest Status: Similar to houseflies when common indoors; larvae feed on dead animals or garbage waste; some species are parasitic CONTROL Sanitation via removal and proper disposal of garbage, carcasses and similar breeding media is probably the most satisfactory method of limiting blow fly populations. Sheep production requires other preventive measures such as breeding hornless animals, having lambing occur as early in spring as possible, sheering of dams before lambing occurs, docking lambs' tails, removing dirty, ragged wool, and treating wounds.

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