# 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! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Gardens, farms, and urban areas - **Also known as:** Blow Fly ![Bluebottle Fly](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426226/objects/5513.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Diptera - **Family:** Calliphoridae - **Genus:** Calliphora ## 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 - **Smell Superpower:** Bluebottle Flies can detect decaying meat from miles away because of highly sensitive antennae that help them find food and lay eggs quickly. - **Speedy Reproduction:** Bluebottle Flies can lay hundreds of eggs on rotting food within minutes, allowing their larvae to quickly grow and thrive. - **Maggot Medic:** 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-spider) (*Araneus diadematus*) — Spiders often trap bluebottles in their sticky webs. - **Eaten by:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — Birds like tits will snatch flies as a quick meal. - **Parasitizes:** [Jewel Wasp](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [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. - [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. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Bluebottle Fly? 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 Fly's wingspan? 12-20 mm ### How big is Bluebottle Fly? 6-12 mm ### How long does Bluebottle Fly live? 15-25 days ### How fast can Bluebottle Fly fly? 15 km/h ### What does Bluebottle Fly eat? Adult flies sip on sweet liquids and rotting matter; larvae eat decaying flesh. ### Where is Bluebottle Fly usually found? Gardens, farms, and urban areas ### How does Bluebottle Fly hunt? Scavenging ## 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 Fly: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bluebottle-fly)