Bluebottle Fly

Calliphora vomitoria

The Bluebottle Fly is a shiny blue fly that is often seen buzzing around. They are important for breaking down waste in nature!

Habitat: Gardens, farms, and urban areas

Appearance

The Bluebottle Fly has a stout, hairy body with a striking metallic blue or greenish-blue sheen. It has large, prominent reddish-brown compound eyes, which are quite noticeable. Its transparent wings help distinguish it from smaller, duller houseflies.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderDipteraFamilyCalliphoridaeGenusCalliphora

Bluebottle Fly

Interesting facts

Bluebottle flies can buzz their wings up to 180 times every second.

Forensic scientists use bluebottle flies to estimate how long ago someone died.

Their powerful compound eyes have thousands of tiny lenses for wide vision.

They taste their food with special receptors located on their feet!

Special abilities

Bluebottle Flies can detect decaying meat from miles away because of highly sensitive antennae that help them find food and lay eggs quickly.

Bluebottle Flies can lay hundreds of eggs on rotting food within minutes, allowing their larvae to quickly grow and thrive.

Bluebottle Fly larvae (maggots) can clean wounds by eating only dead tissue, which helps doctors treat certain infections.

Measurements & details

Wingspan: 12-20 mm
Size: 6-12 mm
Lifespan: 15-25 days
Flight Speed: 15 km/h
Leg Count: 6

Diet & Feeding

Adult flies sip on sweet liquids and rotting matter; larvae eat decaying flesh.

Age differences: Larvae eat decaying meat, while adults feed on various liquids.

Primary Foods

Nectar
Rotting fruit
Sap
Carrion liquids
Dung

Foraging Method

Scavenging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Garden Spider

Araneus diadematus

Spiders often trap bluebottles in their sticky webs.

eaten by

Great Tit

Parus major

Birds like tits will snatch flies as a quick meal.

parasitizes

Jewel Wasp

Nasonia vitripennis

This tiny wasp lays its eggs inside bluebottle fly pupae.

eaten by

Common Frog

Rana temporaria

Frogs snap up bluebottles as they fly by.

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Omnivorous

Meet versatile eaters who enjoy a wide variety of foods, from plants to other animals, allowing them to adapt to many different environments. They're nature's flexible diners!

Pollinator Magnet

Discover plants that are irresistible to our pollinator friends! These beauties are super attractive to bees, butterflies, and other helpful creatures, creating a buzzing hub of activity.

Decomposer

Meet the cleanup crew of nature! These vital organisms help break down dead things, returning nutrients to the soil and keeping our ecosystems healthy.