Fraud Blocker Skip to main content

Blow Fly Collection

Blow flies, also known as carrion flies or bluebottles, are fascinating insects that play a crucial role in the decomposition process

Background imageBlow Fly Collection: Blowfly laying eggs, SEM

Blowfly laying eggs, SEM
Blowfly laying eggs. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a female Lucilia sp. blowfly laying her eggs (lower left). A blowfly lays its eggs on dead bodies

Background imageBlow Fly Collection: Bluebottle maggots

Bluebottle maggots
Numerous bluebottle fly maggots or larvae feeding on carrion

Background imageBlow Fly Collection: Dead horse arum lily, Helicodiceros muscivorus (Dracunculus crinitus) with blow flies

Dead horse arum lily, Helicodiceros muscivorus (Dracunculus crinitus) with blow flies
FLO4628836 Dead horse arum lily, Helicodiceros muscivorus (Dracunculus crinitus) with blow flies. Handcoloured lithograph from Louis van Houtte and Charles Lemaire's Flowers of the Gardens

Background imageBlow Fly Collection: Cochliomyia hominivorax, new world screwworm puparium

Cochliomyia hominivorax, new world screwworm puparium
The pupa case or puparium of a new world screwworm originating from a human, contracted in Trinidad

Background imageBlow Fly Collection: Cordylobia anthropophaga, tumbu fly larvae

Cordylobia anthropophaga, tumbu fly larvae
Larvae of the tumbu fly or putzi fly common in East and Central Africa. Photographed by Martin Hall

Background imageBlow Fly Collection: Wohlfahrtia magnifica, screwworm fly wound

Wohlfahrtia magnifica, screwworm fly wound
Chicken with screwworm (Wohlfahrtia sp.) infestation found near Rio Quizer, Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Photographed by Martin Hall

Background imageBlow Fly Collection: Antique illustration of fly

Antique illustration of fly

Background imageBlow Fly Collection: Pupa of Blow-fly

Pupa of Blow-fly

Background imageBlow Fly Collection: Blowfly -Calliphora sp. -, on an ivy flower, Untergroeningen, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, Europe

Blowfly -Calliphora sp. -, on an ivy flower, Untergroeningen, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, Europe
Blowfly -Calliphora sp.-, on an ivy flower, Untergroeningen, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, Europe

Background imageBlow Fly Collection: Blow-fly, carrion fly -Calliphoridae-

Blow-fly, carrion fly -Calliphoridae-

Background imageBlow Fly Collection: Green Bottle Fly -Lucilia sp. -, female, Untergroeningen, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, Europe

Green Bottle Fly -Lucilia sp. -, female, Untergroeningen, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, Europe
Green Bottle Fly -Lucilia sp.-, female, Untergroeningen, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, Europe

Background imageBlow Fly Collection: Bluebottle (Calliphora vomitoria) adult, trapped in silken thread from spider web, in garden

Bluebottle (Calliphora vomitoria) adult, trapped in silken thread from spider web, in garden, Leicestershire, England, July

Background imageBlow Fly Collection: Greenbottle (Lucilia caesar) two adults, feeding on eye of dead bird, Oxfordshire, England, August

Greenbottle (Lucilia caesar) two adults, feeding on eye of dead bird, Oxfordshire, England, August

Background imageBlow Fly Collection: Bluebottle on a leaf

Bluebottle on a leaf
Bluebottle (Calliphora vicina) on a leaf. This common blowfly feeds on rotting animal and vegetable matter. It is considered a domestic pest as it often spreads bacteria onto food

Background imageBlow Fly Collection: Calliphora, bluebottle

Calliphora, bluebottle
A bluebottle laying eggs on carrion

Background imageBlow Fly Collection: Blowfly larvae

Blowfly larvae
Mature maggots or larvae of the bluebottle blowfly (Calliphora)

Background imageBlow Fly Collection: Calliphora vicina, blowfly or blue bottle

Calliphora vicina, blowfly or blue bottle
Scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of a blowflys wing

Background imageBlow Fly Collection: Calliphora vicina, blowfly or bluebottle

Calliphora vicina, blowfly or bluebottle
Scanning electron microscope (SEM) image showing the smaller units making up the compound eye of a blowfly

Background imageBlow Fly Collection: Calliphora vicina, blowfly or bluebottle

Calliphora vicina, blowfly or bluebottle
Scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of a blowfly proboscis (x 85). This specialised mouth-part is used to squirt digestive enzymes onto the food

Background imageBlow Fly Collection: Wohlfahrtia sp. new world screwworm pupa

Wohlfahrtia sp. new world screwworm pupa
New world screwworm (Wohlfahrtia sp.) pupa. Photographed by Martin Hall

Background imageBlow Fly Collection: Calliphora vicina, blowfly eggs

Calliphora vicina, blowfly eggs
Eggs deposited by the blowfly (Calliphora vicina). Photographed by Martin Hall

Background imageBlow Fly Collection: Calliphora vicina, blowfly larva and pupa

Calliphora vicina, blowfly larva and pupa
The larvae of this blowfly attack people asleep on the ground. Specimen found in Belgian Congo. Photographed by Martin Hall

Background imageBlow Fly Collection: Cordylobia anthropophaga, tumbu fly

Cordylobia anthropophaga, tumbu fly
A mounted specimen of the tumbu fly or putzi fly common in East and Central Africa. Photographed by Martin Hall in Marikari Pans, Botswana

Background imageBlow Fly Collection: Adult new world screwworm fly

Adult new world screwworm fly
A mounted specimen of a Adult new world screwworm fly. Photographed by Martin Hall

Background imageBlow Fly Collection: Lucilia sericata, sheep blowfly

Lucilia sericata, sheep blowfly
Myiasis wound on the back of a sheep due to the sheep blowfly (Lucillia sericata) Sarbogard, Hungary. Photographed by Martin Hall

Background imageBlow Fly Collection: Calliphora vicina, blowfly

Calliphora vicina, blowfly
A mounted specimen of the blowfly (Calliphora vicina) found in Stanley area of the East Falklands. Photographed by Martin Hall

Background imageBlow Fly Collection: Calliphora vomitoria, bluebottle laying eggs on carrion

Calliphora vomitoria, bluebottle laying eggs on carrion
Bluebottles or blow flies lay eggs and feed on rotten meat. Upon emerging from the pupa, adult female blowflies are capable of mating and laying eggs in under 5 days

Background imageBlow Fly Collection: Cluster Fly (Pollenia sp. ) adult, feeding, with water droplet on eye, Leicestershire, England

Cluster Fly (Pollenia sp. ) adult, feeding, with water droplet on eye, Leicestershire, England, march
Cluster Fly (Pollenia sp.) adult, feeding, with water droplet on eye, Leicestershire, England, march

Background imageBlow Fly Collection: Flesh Fly (Sarcophaga carnaria) adult female, laying eggs inside Carrion Flower (Stapelia hirsuta)

Flesh Fly (Sarcophaga carnaria) adult female, laying eggs inside Carrion Flower (Stapelia hirsuta), flowers smell like rotten meat to attract pollinators

Background imageBlow Fly Collection: Cluster Fly (Pollenia sp. ) adult, close-up of head, feeding, with water droplet on eye

Cluster Fly (Pollenia sp. ) adult, close-up of head, feeding, with water droplet on eye, Leicestershire, England, march
Cluster Fly (Pollenia sp.) adult, close-up of head, feeding, with water droplet on eye, Leicestershire, England, march

Background imageBlow Fly Collection: Greenbottle (Lucilia caesar) adult, resting on leaf, West Sussex, England, april

Greenbottle (Lucilia caesar) adult, resting on leaf, West Sussex, England, april

Background imageBlow Fly Collection: Flesh Fly (Sarcophaga carnaria) adult, resting on leaf, Norfolk, England, september

Flesh Fly (Sarcophaga carnaria) adult, resting on leaf, Norfolk, England, september

Background imageBlow Fly Collection: Greenbottle (Lucilia caesar) adult, cleaning front legs, resting on Iceplant (Sedum sp)

Greenbottle (Lucilia caesar) adult, cleaning front legs, resting on Iceplant (Sedum sp)
Greenbottle (Lucilia caesar) adult, cleaning front legs, resting on Iceplant (Sedum sp.) flowers in garden, Warwickshire, England, september

Background imageBlow Fly Collection: Common Greenbottle (Lucilia sericata) adult, feeding on rotting apple, Essex, England, august

Common Greenbottle (Lucilia sericata) adult, feeding on rotting apple, Essex, England, august

Background imageBlow Fly Collection: Blowfly pupa hatching, SEM

Blowfly pupa hatching, SEM
Blowfly pupa hatching. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a Calliphora vicina blowfly adult emerging from its pupa

Background imageBlow Fly Collection: Blowfly maggot feeding, SEM

Blowfly maggot feeding, SEM
Blowfly maggot feeding. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a Calliphora vicina blowfly maggot (larva) feeding on liver tissue

Background imageBlow Fly Collection: Blowfly maggot pupa, SEM

Blowfly maggot pupa, SEM
Blowfly pupa on carpet. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a Calliphora vicina blowfly pupa that will hatch an adult fly. A blowfly lays its eggs on dead bodies

Background imageBlow Fly Collection: Blowfly head, SEM

Blowfly head, SEM
Head of a blowfly. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a Lucilia sp. blowfly head. A female blowfly lays her eggs on dead bodies. This behaviour is studied by forensic entomologists

Background imageBlow Fly Collection: Bluebottle fly, SEM

Bluebottle fly, SEM
Bluebottle fly. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a bluebottle fly (Calliphora sp.). One of its large compound eyes (dark red) is clearly seen

Background imageBlow Fly Collection: Flesh-fly - feeding on fruit. Lays live larvae, not eggs. Dorset

Flesh-fly - feeding on fruit. Lays live larvae, not eggs. Dorset
ROG-14097 Flesh-fly - feeding on fruit. Dorset. UK Sarcophaga carnaria Lays live larvae, not eggs. Bob Gibbons Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only

Background imageBlow Fly Collection: Banded Blowfly - male feeding on nectar from daisy flower. Maggots develop in corpses. Widespread

Banded Blowfly - male feeding on nectar from daisy flower. Maggots develop in corpses. Widespread
ASW-4790 Banded Blowfly - male feeding on nectar from daisy flower. Maggots develop in corpses. Widespread. Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Chrysomya albiceps Alan J. S



All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

Blow flies, also known as carrion flies or bluebottles, are fascinating insects that play a crucial role in the decomposition process. These flies are commonly found laying their eggs on decaying organic matter, such as dead animals or rotting plants. One of the most intriguing aspects of blow flies is their life cycle. After mating, the female blowfly lays her eggs directly on the decomposing material. These tiny white eggs eventually hatch into larvae, which are often referred to as maggots. The maggots feed voraciously on the decaying matter and grow rapidly. Different species of blow flies have distinct characteristics. For instance, Wohlfahrtia magnifica is known for infesting wounds in animals and causing severe damage if left untreated. Another species called Cochliomyia hominivorax is notorious for its ability to lay eggs in open wounds of both humans and animals. In some regions like Africa, Cordylobia anthropophaga (also known as tumbu fly) larvae can cause myiasis by burrowing under human skin. This condition can be quite painful and requires medical attention. The development stages of blowflies include pupae formation before they transform into adult flies. The puparium serves as a protective casing during this transformation process. Blowflies come in various colors and sizes depending on the species. An antique illustration showcases their unique features while highlighting their presence throughout history. These resilient creatures can be found all around the world; one photograph captures a Blow-fly from Germany resting on an ivy flower while another shows a Green Bottle Fly trapped in spider silk from England's garden. Flesh Flies (Sarcophaga carnaria), another type within this family, can be seen perched peacefully on leaves during warm summer days in France.