# Green Bottle Fly (*Lucilia sericata*) The Green Bottle Fly is a shiny green insect that helps decompose dead animals. They are often found near compost heaps! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 5 - **Habitat:** Gardens, farms, and urban areas - **Also known as:** Common Green Bottle Fly, Lucilia Fly ![Green Bottle Fly](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426206/objects/5514.jpg) ## Appearance The Green Bottle Fly is a medium-sized fly, famous for its brilliant, iridescent metallic green or blue-green body. It has large, reddish-brown compound eyes and clear wings, distinguishing it from other duller flies. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Diptera - **Family:** Calliphoridae - **Genus:** Lucilia ## Interesting facts - A single female fly can lay hundreds of eggs in one go! - Scientists use these flies to help solve crimes by estimating time of death! - Their maggots are sometimes used by doctors to clean serious wounds! - They taste with their feet to decide if something is good to eat! ## Special abilities - **Smell Superpower:** Green Bottle Fly can sniff out decaying meat from miles away because of super-sensitive antennae that help them find food and lay eggs. - **Swift Evasion:** Green Bottle Fly can fly quickly and erratically because of powerful wing muscles that help them dodge predators and move between food sources. - **Meat Medics:** Green Bottle Fly larvae can clean wounds by eating dead tissue because of special digestive enzymes that help them remove infection. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 15-25 mm - **Size:** 8-10 mm - **Lifespan:** 15-30 days - **Flight Speed:** 10-15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults feast on sweet nectar, while their larvae are nature's tiny clean-up crew, munching on decaying things. - **Age differences:** Larvae (maggots) feed exclusively on decaying organic matter; adults primarily feed on nectar and sugary liquids. - **Primary Foods:** nectar, decaying animal flesh, rotting fruit, manure, sap - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Parasitizes:** domestic sheep (*Ovis aries*) — Causes 'blowfly strike' by laying eggs in wounds or damp wool. - **Eaten by:** [house sparrow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/house-sparrow) (*Passer domesticus*) — Common bird predators will snatch them from the air as a meal. - **Eats:** [house mouse](https://www.snappit.app/explore/house-mouse) (*Mus musculus*) — Their larvae (maggots) consume the decaying flesh of dead mice. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [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. - [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 Green Bottle 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 Green Bottle Fly's wingspan? 15-25 mm ### How big is Green Bottle Fly? 8-10 mm ### How long does Green Bottle Fly live? 15-30 days ### How fast can Green Bottle Fly fly? 10-15 km/h ### What does Green Bottle Fly eat? Adults feast on sweet nectar, while their larvae are nature's tiny clean-up crew, munching on decaying things. ### Where is Green Bottle Fly usually found? Gardens, farms, and urban areas ### How does Green Bottle Fly hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Boerner Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/boerner-botanical-gardens) — Wisconsin, US · Botanical Garden - [City Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/city-park) — Colorado, US · Park - [Shepherdstown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/shepherdstown-historic-district) — West Virginia, US · Historic District - [Downtown Cumberland Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/downtown-cumberland-historic-district) — Maryland, US · Historic District - [Lowell Commercial Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lowell-commercial-historic-district) — Indiana, US · Historic District [View all places to see Green Bottle Fly](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/green-bottle-fly) ## 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: [Green Bottle Fly: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/green-bottle-fly)