Bluebottle Fly vs Secondary Screwworm Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Bluebottle Fly Secondary Screwworm Fly
Scientific Name Calliphora vicina Cochliomyia macellaria
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Calliphoridae Calliphoridae
Size 10-12 mm 8-12 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Carrion Feeders Carrion Feeders
Regions Europe, North America North America, South America
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.

Secondary Screwworm Fly

A blow fly that breeds in carrion and occasionally infests wounds in livestock. It is widely used in forensic studies in the Americas.

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Did You Know?

Unlike the primary screwworm, it only feeds on dead tissue rather than living flesh.