DIPTERA > BRACHYCERA | Higher Diptera

MUSCOMORPHA > SCHIZOPHORA > Calyptratae > Oestroidea > Calliphoridae (30 species)

(subfamilies: Calliphorinae, Chrysomyiinae, Helicoboscinae, Luciliinae and Melanomyiinae)

Following the separation of the Rhinophoridae 'woodlouse flies' and, more recently, the Pollenidae 'clusterflies', the Calliphoridae 'blowfly' family is now effectively reduced to just 30 species which, although a very manageable number, are split into five distinct subfamilies.

Family members include the familiar Calliphora 'bluebottles' and Lucilia 'greenbottles' together with some lesser-known relatives, such as the Bellardia 'emerald-bottles' and Melinda 'little bluebottles', plus a few individual species like the little black blowfly Melanomya nana, the blackbottle Protophormia terraenovae and the yellow-faced blowfly Cynomya mortuorom.

There are also a couple of less obvious species, notably the distinctive Locust Blowfly, Stomorhina lunata, which used to be regarded as a bit of a rarity mainly seen in the south-east, but is now spreading with quite a few scattered sightings in my area, Eurychaeta palpalis that looks like a female Sarcophaga fleshfly and Eggisops pecchiolii known as the false woodlouse-fly.

On the subject of 'look-alikes', we must remember that the metallic green muscids Neomyia cornicina and its larger relative Neomyia viridescens could be mistaken for a calliphorid 'greenbottle', as could Eudasyphora cyanella, and similarly with Eudasyphora cyanicolor, which resembles a Melinda species. 

Before looking at some of the individual species it's important to note that in most cases reliable identification is only possible with microscopic examination even though comprehensive and well-detailed keys exists. In general terms, calliphorids are described as small to large (4-16mm), usually robust flies; many of which have a greenish or blueish metallic lustre with some silvery, yellowish or golden pruinosity in a variable pattern, and in some species the body is greenish yellow, polished black or occasionally without metallic sheen; the sexes often differ distinctly in colour; the head is higher than long, and the compound eyes in males rarely meet above, although the frons is narrower than in females; the head, body and legs are often with strong bristles; arista usually long plumose in at least the basal two- thirds, rarely pubescent; the shape of the lower calypter is strongly variable, ranging from well rounded-triangular to elliptic; wings always with vein M1 curving forward; cell r4+5 usually open at the wing margin; hyperpleural bristles always present.

The six Calliphora species have metallic-blue tergites and a non-metallic, grey dusted thorax. They are very similar in appearance but, generally here in the south, only two need to be considered as the others are all found in Scotland or certainly much further north. The two species that occur locally are the 'common bluebottle' Calliphora vicina which can be identified by the pale brown basicostae and orange anterior thoracic spiracles, and Calliphora vomitoria easily distinguished by the orange hairs on the rear and lower parts of the genera, giving rise to its unofficial name of the 'orange or ginger-bearded bluebottle'. A point worth noting about these two species is that whilst Calliphora vicina can be found in various habitats it is more frequent in urban areas, whereas Calliphora vomitoria is most likely to be encountered in woodland or more natural habitats. 

Although taxonomically separated, the Melinda species in the Melanomyinae subfamily are often described as Calliphora-like 'little bluebottles'. The two species, Melinda gentilis and Melinda viridicyanea, can sometimes be identified from photos. In respect of the rather tatty male featured below, the thorax appears to have three rather than five presutural dark stripes, and the frons at its narrowest point looks to be about as wide as the third antennal segment - a useful measure that can be applied to a few species, especially the Lucilia 'greenbottles' described on the following page. A further distinguishing feature, if visible, is that Melinda viridicyanea has black rather than brown palpi.

The only other dark-coloured calliphorid that I've photographed to date is the little black blowfly, Melanomyia nana, which is in the same subfamily as the two Melinda species. It's a small, slim blackish fly with a rather darkened anterior edge to the wing and an obtusely curved M vein.

Protocalliphora azurea is a widespread, although infrequently recorded, species that is commonly known as the Bird Blowfly as the larvae develop in the nests of small passerines. They have a somewhat flattened appearance if seen at rest when they have a particular liking for basking on tree trunks or timber posts and gates. The males are a deep bluish-black colour, whereas the females are more of a greenish-blue colour with pronounced shifting grey markings.

The frequently encountered Lucilia 'greenbottles' are easily distinguished, but are often simply lumped together as Lucilia sp. for convenience rather than making an attempt to see if they can be identified. My philosophy here is exactly the same as I've explained elsewhere on this website in that you can either take the easy approach or try to learn more about the species. With regard to the Calliphoridae it wouldn't have been possible without Steven Falk's well-presented photographic key produced in March 2016. The RES Blowflies handbook written by Olga Sivell came later in 2021 and, although immensely useful, Steven Falk's work including his associated Flickr albums and individual species accounts gave me the motivation I needed. My interpretation and understanding is confirmed on the following page where I have used my best efforts to tentatively identify as many Lucilia species that I can.

Updated Nov.24 (v.3)