File:Chrysomya_megacephala_male.jpg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons
Calliphoridae
Sign in to saveAlso known as blowflies, blow-flies, carrion flies, bluebottles, greenbottles, cluster flies
The Calliphoridae (commonly known as blowflies, blow flies, blow-flies, carrion flies, bluebottles, or greenbottles) are a family of insects in the order Diptera, with almost 1,900 known species. The maggot larvae, often used as fishing bait, are known as gentles. The family is known to be polyphyletic, but much remains disputed regarding proper treatment of the constituent taxa, some of which are occasionally accorded family status (e.g., Bengaliidae and Helicoboscidae).
Species
blowflies
FAMILY
- KingdomAnimalia
- PhylumArthropoda
- ClassInsecta
- OrderDiptera
- FamilyCalliphoridae
via GBIF
Research
2,010 papers- Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae): A potentially forgotten forensically important species in Malaysia.Science & justice : journal of the Forensic Science Society · 2024
- Chrysomya pinguis (Walker) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), blow fly of forensic importance: A review of bionomics and forensic entomology appraisal.Acta tropica · 2022
- Initial blow fly (Diptera: Calliphoridae) colonization of cats (Felis catus) in Indiana.Journal of medical entomology · 2024
- Antimicrobial Potential of Maggot Excretions/Secretions From Blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae).Wound repair and regeneration : official publication of the Wound Healing Society [and] the European Tissue Repair Society · 2025
- Impact of pesticides on Calliphoridae species: Insights into forensic entomotoxicology.Journal of forensic and legal medicine · 2026
via PubMed
Wikidata facts
- Image
- Chrysomya megacephala male.jpg
Show 3 more facts
- Commons category
- Calliphoridae
- taxon name
- Calliphoridae
- taxon common name
- spyfluer
Sources (2)
via Wikidata · CC0
~18 min read
Article
18 sectionsContents
- Description
- Characteristics
- Development
- Food sources
- Predators
- Host-microbe interactions
- Diversity
- Genera
- Economic importance
- Myiasis
- Screwworms
- Maggot therapy
- Disease
- Pollination
- Forensic importance
- References
- Identification
- External links
The Calliphoridae (commonly known as blowflies, blow flies, blow-flies, carrion flies, bluebottles, or greenbottles) are a family of insects in the order Diptera, with almost 1,900 known species. The maggot larvae, often used as fishing bait, are known as gentles. The family is known to be polyphyletic, but much remains disputed regarding proper treatment of the constituent taxa, some of which are occasionally accorded family status (e.g., Bengaliidae and Helicoboscidae).
==Description==