Blow Flies
ExploreInsects
Blow Flies
Calliphoridae
Blow flies are shiny, buzzing insects that help clean up nature by eating dead animals. They are often seen around garbage and can be found in many places!
Habitat: Urban areas
Appearance
The Blow Fly has a robust body, often with a striking metallic sheen in shades of blue, green, or copper. Their large, reddish-brown compound eyes and bristly thorax make them easily distinguishable from other flies.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderDipteraFamilyCalliphoridae
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Blow flies can help scientists figure out how long a crime victim has been deceased!
Blow flies help pollinate some plants, especially those with stinky flowers, like the corpse flower!
Some tiny blow fly larvae are used by doctors to clean wounds, eating only dead tissue!
Their amazing sense of smell is so good, it can detect a tiny bit of carrion from afar!
Special abilities
Ability
Super Sniffer
Blow Flies can locate decaying matter from surprising distances quickly, helping them find food and egg-laying sites efficiently.
Ability
Rapid Transformation
Blow Flies have incredibly fast larval development, allowing maggots to grow and pupate in just a few days.
Ability
Acrobatic Flight
Blow Flies can perform agile maneuvers in flight, darting, hovering, and changing direction swiftly to avoid predators.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 12-30 mm
- Size
- 6-16 mm
- Lifespan
- 15-45 days
- Flight Speed
- 24 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Adults sip nectar and decaying liquids, while larvae feast on rotting organic matter and carrion.
Age differences: Larvae eat decaying organic matter; adults feed on liquids like nectar or decaying fluids.
Primary Foods
- Nectar
- Rotting fruit
- Carrion
- Feces
- Exudates from wounds
- Tree sap
Foraging Method
- Scavenging
Ecological connections
eaten by
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
Robins eat adult flies for protein.
parasitizes
Domestic Sheep
Ovis aries
Some blow fly larvae cause 'sheep strike' by feeding on living tissue.
pollinates
Corpse Flower
Rafflesia arnoldii
Flies are attracted to its smell and carry pollen.
Traits
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Scavenger
Scavengers consume dead organic matter, helping to decompose carcasses and other waste in the ecosystem.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Decomposer
Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Speedster
This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
Greenbottle Fly
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Don't touch or bother flies, as they can carry germs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Blow Flies's wingspan?
12-30 mm
How big is Blow Flies?
6-16 mm
How long does Blow Flies live?
15-45 days
How fast can Blow Flies fly?
24 km/h
What does Blow Flies eat?
Adults sip nectar and decaying liquids, while larvae feast on rotting organic matter and carrion.
Where is Blow Flies usually found?
Urban areas
How does Blow Flies hunt?
Scavenging
How many legs does Blow Flies have?
6
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