Blue Bottle Fly

Calliphora vomitoria

Females of this species seek out dead animals in which to lay their eggs; they often enter buildings when they smell meat. The larvae (maggots) feed on the juices released by rotting flesh. When they finish growing, they crawl away from the carcass and find a dry place to pupate. They transform into adults in two or three weeks.

Look For : Gray head, red eyes, dark gray thorax, and metallic blue abdomen.

Length : 1/2".

Habitat : Pastures, barnyards.

Range : Widespread.