Natural England

Natural England

Gardening with Wildlife in Mind

The Plant Press

© 2006-2008. Database provided and managed on behalf of Natural England by The Plant Press. Designed and implemented by Ideal Integration Ltd

 

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Greenbottle - Lucilia caesar - Family: Calliphoridae

Greenbottle - Lucilia caesarGreenbottle - Lucilia caesar
© Roger Key/English Nature
UK distribution - East Anglia, Midlands, North, South East, South West

This blow fly is bright iridescent green and is one of a number of metallic green flies which can be found, though they are from differing fly families. The female lays her eggs on carcasses, seeking the soft parts that are shaded from the sun. Larvae live in carrion and also in wounds on living animals, eating away the flesh with alarming rapidity, and so can be a problem in sheep-rearing areas.

The greenbottle may also be found on flowers and dung, and it is widespread and very common. Unlike their close relatives the bluebottles, greenbottles rarely come into houses.

Food

Carrion feeder: larvae feed on carrion and adults visit a large variety of flowers for nectar.

Predators

Large red damselfly

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