Bluebottle Fly vs Long-legged Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Bluebottle Fly Long-legged Fly
Scientific Name Calliphora vicina Dolichopus ungulatus
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Calliphoridae Dolichopodidae
Size 10-12 mm 5-7 mm
Habitat Farmland Rivers & Streams
Diet Carrion Feeders Herbivores
Regions Europe, North America Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Bluebottle Fly

A common metallic blue blowfly found in urban areas worldwide. Breeds in dead pigeons, rodents and meat. An important species in forensic entomology for estimating time of death.

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Did You Know?

One of the most important forensic indicator species, helping police estimate time of death from larval development stage.

Long-legged Fly

A small, slender fly with a brilliant metallic green body and long, thin legs. Males have modified leg structures used in elaborate courtship displays performed on leaves.

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Did You Know?

Male long-legged flies perform an elaborate wing-waving courtship dance on sunlit leaves, displaying silvery wing patches to watching females like tiny semaphore signals.