Common Name: Blow fly
Scientific Name: Calliforidae: spp
Status: A beneficial insect except when an annoyance around homes
Damaging Stage: Maggot

Biology: Adults are metallic blue, green, copper, or black-colored flies that resemble house flies in appearance. The hair on the terminal antennal segment is feathery. Blow fly larvae are cream-colored and have a pointed head end. They are approximately � inch long.

Female flies lay eggs on or near suitable habitats. Maggots hatch from the eggs within two days and develop through three instars before pupating in the soil. Adult flies emerge 10 to 17 days after the formation of the pupal cell. They complete many generations per year.

Value: Blow fly adults deposit eggs in and around dead animals and animal refuge. When the eggs hatch, the larvae feed on decaying flesh, rotting vegetation or matted hair. Most larvae do not attack healthy tissue. Blow flies are a very valuable insect in breaking down and recycling animal tissue and manure.

The occurrence of blow fly larvae on cadavers has been extensively studied and can actually help forensic scientists determine an approximate time for the crime committed.

In some cases blow flies may become pests if they enter homes and contaminate foods or people in the same way house flies do.

Management: Removal of breeding sites (carcasses, garbage and decomposing material) is the best way to eliminate a pesky population.