Blue-green Bottle Fly
Lucilia coeruleiviridis
This record describes Lucilia coeruleiviridis (species). Recorded family: Calliphoridae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Two pairs of postsutural archostichal bristles, palpi orange, males have very narrow frons, basicosta yellow/orange, subcostal sclerite without stout bristles
Wikipedia reference for Lucilia coeruleiviridis: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucilia_coeruleiviridis.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera (Flies)
- Superfamily
- Oestroidea
- Family
- Calliphoridae (Blow Flies)
- Subfamily
- Melanomyinae
- Genus
- Lucilia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Widespread in the US (except NW), into southern Ontario
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Lucilia coeruleiviridis Macquart 1855
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Lucilia coeruleiviridis. 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 Blue-green Bottle Fly (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Bbarnd
Frequently Asked Questions About Blue-green Bottle Fly
What is Blue-green Bottle Fly?
Blue-green Bottle Fly (Lucilia coeruleiviridis) is a species in the family Calliphoridae, within the order Diptera.
How do you identify Blue-green Bottle Fly?
Two pairs of postsutural archostichal bristles, palpi orange, males have very narrow frons, basicosta yellow/orange, subcostal sclerite without stout bristles
Where is Blue-green Bottle Fly found?
Range: Widespread in the US (except NW), into southern Ontario