Natural England

Natural England

Gardening with Wildlife in Mind

The Plant Press

© 2006-2010. Database provided and managed on behalf of Natural England by The Plant Press. Designed and implemented by Ideal Integration Ltd

 

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Bluebottle - Calliphora vomitoria - Family: Calliphridae

Bluebottle - Calliphora vomitoriaBluebottle - Calliphora vomitoria
© Bob Gibbons
UK distribution - East Anglia, Midlands, North, South East, South West

This large fly has a characteristic shiny blue body with rows of bristles along each side. The adults are attracted to rotting material of all kinds, with the eggs being laid in carrion. Although common and widespread, this species is not usually associated with people in the same way as the closely related Calliphora vicinia. Since these flies feed on dead or dying material they are a useful part of the ecological lifecycle of a garden. They clear up the detritus left behind by others. It is usually only the female flies that enter indoors.

Food

Detritus feeder: larvae found in decaying organic material and especially carrion.

Predators

Large red damselfly

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