Calliphoridae

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Pollenia rudis (Calliphoridae)
Richard Bartz, Munich - Wikimedia Commons
Lucilia cuprina
Giancarlodessi 2009, Wikimedia Commons
Blowfly Head Close Up
Martin Pot, Wikimedia Commons
  • The Calliphoridae family are facultative parasites
  • If the fly lays eggs on an animal, the animal is said to be blown
  • The damage the larvae cause to the animal is known as strike
  • Worldwide distribution
  • Affects sheep mostly
    • Rabbits can also be affected


Species of veterinary importance in Europe

  • Lucilia sericata; Greenbottle
  • Phormia terra-novae; Blackbottle
  • Calliphora erythrocephala; Bluebottle
  • Calliphora vomitoria; Bluebottle


Species of veterinary importance in the Tropics

  • Lucilia cuprina; South Africa and Australia


Recognition of Adults

  • Medium sized flies under 10mm long
  • Metallic sheen to abdomen
    • Colour depends on species
  • Clear wings


Recognition of Larvae

  • Smooth maggots
  • 10-15mm long
  • Spiracles and stigmatic plates on the tail can be used for species differentiation


Life cycle

  • Eggs laid in wounds, soiled fleece and on carrion
    • Females attracted by the odour emitted
    • Clusters of yellow-cream eggs laid
  • Larvae hatch 24 hours later and crawl down onto the skin
    • Feed rapidly
    • Grow rapidly
    • Moult twice before becoming full maggots
    • Process takes 1-2 weeks
  • Larvae fall to the ground to pupate
  • Adult emerges in under 1 week (during summer)
  • The female reaches sexual maturity after a protein meal
    • Lays eggs in batches of 100-200
  • Adult flies survive for 1 month
  • Four generations can develop between May and September
    • In warmer climates, up to 9 or 10 generations can develop per year
  • Flies can survive the winter as pupae and emerge the next spring

Test yourself with the Myiasis Producing Flies Flashcards

Myiasis Producing Flies Flashcards