Hairy Maggot Blow Fly
Chrysomya rufifacies
This record describes Chrysomya rufifacies (species). Recorded family: Calliphoridae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
The fleshy tubercles on these larvae are unique among maggots found on carrion in the US. The only species they might be confused with is Chrysomya albiceps which has not yet been recorded as far north as the US. For adults, the presence of a hairy stem vein places the species in Chrysomyinae, the setose greater ampulla places it in Chrysomya , and the white anterior thoracic spiracle differentiates C. rufifacies from Chrysomya megacephala . first detected in the continental US in 1980 This species has a homomorphic sex chromosome system and has thus monogenic females. This means females either produce only male or female offspring, depending on her genotype.
Wikipedia reference for Chrysomya rufifacies: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysomya_rufifacies.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera (Flies)
- Superfamily
- Oestroidea
- Family
- Calliphoridae (Blow Flies)
- Subfamily
- Chrysomyinae
- Genus
- Chrysomya (Hairy Maggot Blow Flies)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
e US to CA (so.CA-NM, LA, FL, IL, MI) but considered uncommon ( 3 ) . In more recent years, this invasive species has become dominant in southern states and is important in forensic entomology. It is one of the most commonly encountered insect species on human remains in Harris County, Texas and Maricopa County, Arizona ( 4 ) ( 5 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Decomposing remains
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart 1842)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Chrysomya rufifacies. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Diptera includes over 150,000 described species of flies, mosquitoes, and midges. Mosquitoes are the deadliest animal on Earth (CDC). Malaria alone causes ~249 million cases and over 608,000 deaths annually, mostly children under 5 (WHO). Vector-borne diseases account for over 17% of all infectious diseases, causing 700,000+ deaths per year.
Ecological role of the group
Despite their disease impact, flies are critical decomposers and pollinators. Hoverflies alone pollinate hundreds of crop and wildflower species. Flies are also the primary food source for many birds, bats, and fish. Forensic entomology relies heavily on fly species for crime scene analysis.
Economic and practical significance of the group
In the U.S., vector-borne disease cases tripled between 2004-2016, with over 640,000 cases reported in that period (CDC). Tickborne diseases doubled from 22,000 to 48,000 annual reports. Globally, mosquito-borne diseases cost billions in healthcare and lost productivity.
Recorded sources for this group: WHO, CDC, PNAS. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Hairy Maggot Blow Fly (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Eric R. Eaton; Additional contributions by Andrew Meeds , Mike Quinn , v belov , Arturo Santos
Frequently Asked Questions About Hairy Maggot Blow Fly
What is Hairy Maggot Blow Fly?
Hairy Maggot Blow Fly (Chrysomya rufifacies) is a species in the family Calliphoridae, within the order Diptera.
How do you identify Hairy Maggot Blow Fly?
The fleshy tubercles on these larvae are unique among maggots found on carrion in the US. The only species they might be confused with is Chrysomya albiceps which has not yet been recorded as far north as the US. For adults, the presence of a hairy stem vein places the species in Chrysomyinae, the setose greater ampulla places it in Chrysomya , and the white anterior thoracic spiracle differentiates C. rufifacies from Chrysomya megacephala .
Where is Hairy Maggot Blow Fly found?
Range: e US to CA (so.CA-NM, LA, FL, IL, MI) but considered uncommon ( 3 ) . In more recent years, this invasive species has become dominant in southern states and is important in forensic entomology. It is one of the most commonly encountered insect species on human remains in Harris County, Texas and Maricopa County, Arizona ( 4 ) ( 5 )
What does Hairy Maggot Blow Fly eat?
The diet of the Hairy Maggot Blow Fly includes Decomposing remains.