Common green bottle fly
Lucilia sericata
Conservation status: Common
When to see: April to November
About
The common green bottle fly belongs to a group of insects known as blow flies. As the name suggests, green bottle flies are metallic green in colour and are about 8-10mm long. They have four wings, which beat rapidly, allowing them to hover and fly in quick bursts. The female lays her eggs on decaying organic material such as meat or faeces, where they hatch into larvae or maggots within a day. They feed on the decaying matter until they pupate and emerge as adult flies after 7-14 days. These flies play an essential role in the ecosystem by helping to break down dead animals and waste products; the adults also feed pollen, making them important pollinators.
| See also different: | Garden flies |
