# Bluebottle Flies (*Calliphora*) Blowflies, or Bluebottle Flies, are shiny blue insects that love to buzz around. They help nature by cleaning up waste and are often seen in gardens and parks. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Urban areas - **Also known as:** Blowfly, Bluebottle ![Bluebottle Flies](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Calliphora_sp.jpg&width=800) Photo: JJ Harrison ( https://www.jjharrison.com.au/ ), CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Calliphora_sp.jpg) ## Appearance The Bluebottle Fly has a distinctive metallic, iridescent blue-green body, often appearing quite bristly. Its large, reddish-brown compound eyes and transparent wings complete its robust appearance, making it easily distinguishable from common house flies. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Diptera - **Family:** Calliphoridae - **Genus:** Calliphora ## Interesting facts - A female bluebottle can lay up to 2,000 eggs in her short lifetime! - Bluebottle maggots are sometimes used by doctors to clean wounds! - Forensic scientists use these flies to tell how long ago someone died! - Their tiny ears are actually on their antennae, helping them hear sounds! ## Special abilities - **Chemical Locator:** Bluebottle Flies can locate decaying matter miles away with super-sensitive antennae, helping them find food and egg-laying sites. - **Rapid Recycler:** Bluebottle Flies' larvae (maggots) break down dead animals and decaying organic matter incredibly fast, cleaning up the environment. - **Precision Pilot:** Bluebottle Flies can hover, fly backwards, and make sharp turns instantly, using agile wings and advanced flight muscles. - **Temperature Tracker:** Bluebottle Flies can sense subtle temperature changes, guiding them to warm, fresh carrion for egg laying. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 12-24 mm - **Size:** 8-12 mm - **Lifespan:** 15-25 days - **Flight Speed:** 8 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Bluebottle flies mostly feast on decaying organic matter, especially dead animals and sometimes sugary liquids. - **Age differences:** Larvae (maggots) primarily consume decaying animal flesh, while adults feed on a wider range including nectar, fruit juices, and carrion. - **Primary Foods:** Carrion, Feces, Nectar, Fruit juices, Decaying plants - **Foraging Methods:** Scavenging, Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Blackbird (*Turdus merula*) — Adults and larvae provide food for birds. - **Eats:** Domestic cattle (*Bos taurus*) — Maggots decompose the remains of dead livestock. - **Pollinates:** Lords-and-ladies (*Arum maculatum*) — Attracted by scent, they help pollinate certain flowers. - **Eaten by:** [Jewel Wasp](https://www.snappit.app/explore/jewel-wasp) (*Nasonia vitripennis*) — Parasitic wasp larvae consume fly pupae. ## Traits - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Scavenger](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/scavenger): Scavengers consume dead organic matter, helping to decompose carcasses and other waste in the ecosystem. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Don't touch flies, as they can carry germs. Just watch them from a distance! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Bluebottle Flies? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Bluebottle Flies's wingspan? 12-24 mm ### How big is Bluebottle Flies? 8-12 mm ### How long does Bluebottle Flies live? 15-25 days ### How fast can Bluebottle Flies fly? 8 km/h ### What does Bluebottle Flies eat? Bluebottle flies mostly feast on decaying organic matter, especially dead animals and sometimes sugary liquids. ### Where is Bluebottle Flies usually found? Urban areas ### How does Bluebottle Flies hunt? Scavenging and Foraging ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Bluebottle Flies: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bluebottle-flies)