| Size: |
Blow fly and bottle fly adults are about 1/8-5/8 in (4-16 mm) long, the size of a house fly, or slightly larger. Mature larvae are about 3/8-7/8 in (9-22 mm) long. |
| Color: |
Adults are partly or wholly metallic blue, green, or dull brassy, sometimes black. Larvae are pale yellow to white. |
| Characteristics: |
Blow flies and bottle flies have sponging mouthparts; antennae are feathery, at least on the bottom two thirds. Larvae are eyeless, legless, tapered from large, rounded rear segment to head, which is a pair of dark hooks. |
| Geographic Range: |
The black blow fly, shiny bluebottle fly, and bluebottle fly are found throughout the United States, but the last is more common in the northern part of the U.S. and in Canada. The bronzebottle fly occurs in the southern U.S., and greenbottle flies are found mostly in the northern U.S., southern Canada, and commonly in the midwestern U.S. |
| Food: |
Meat; animal carcasses, especially those of birds and other small animals; excrement; decaying vegetation; garbage. |
| Biology: |
Females lay their eggs on material which larvae will eat. Larvae may feed on the surface, then burrow into less decayed material underneath. They go through 3 instars, leaving the food material in order to pupate. Most species pupate within the top 2" of soil. Usually they overwinter as mature larvae or pupae. Development time from egg to adult varies, depending on species and temperature conditions, but usually takes between 10 to 25 days. |
