Blow-fly Calliphoridae

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                                  Blow-flies - Calliphoridae

Family Blowflies (Calliphoridae)
Blow-fly. In older English means blow meat. The blow-flies lay their eggs on it. Blowflies feed on nectar and other sweet liquids. Here you can find more information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blow-fly

Most Blowfly larvae usually live in carrion or other decaying organic matter. 

 
Lucilia spec Maybe Greenbottle (Lucilia caesar)

Lucilia spec Maybe Greenbottle (Lucilia caesar)

Lucilia spec

Lucilia spec Maybe Greenbottle (Lucilia caesar)

Greenbottle Family Blo w-fly (Calliphoridae) 

The name blow-fly comes from an older English term for meat that had eggs laid on it. Flies in this family are often metallic in appearance.
Maybe
Greenbottle (Lucilia caesar) Greenbottles are found everywhere. On carrion, dung, but also on flowers.  The larvae feed on carrion and adults visit flowers for nectar.
It has a beautiful metallic bluish green colour.
This is the most widespread and common species. As always there are similar species.

Lucilia spec. Maybe Greenbottle (Lucilia caesar) Heer is a blowfly in the sun.  That white face most likely is, because the fly is just "born".

Melinda spec. Family Blow-fly (Calliphoridae) Melinda spec. Family Blow-fly (Calliphoridae) Melinda spec. Family Blow-fly (Calliphoridae) Melinda spec. Family Blow-fly (Calliphoridae)

Melinda spec. Family Blow-fly (Calliphoridae)

Melinda spec. Family Blo w-fly (Calliphoridae)

In the Netherlands there are two species Melinda gentilis and Melinda viridicyanea.
A much smaller member of the family.

A much smaller relative. Here you see the fly on a flower of a Lesser celandine. In early April there were many in the garden.
It shines beautifully. Only when you enlarge the photo, you see the many hairs.

 

Blue bottle fly (Calliphora vicina) Family Calliphoridae

Blue bottle fly (Calliphora vicina) Family Calliphoridae

Everyone knows the bluebottle. It's a beautiful fly (I think) because of metallic blue-gray coloration. The Calliphora vicina  has  bright orange cheeks. That's a different from the Calliphora vomitoria. 
This bottlefly lays its white eggs on a variety of  bait. 

Calliphora vicina are found throughout Europe and the U.S.A.

Length 8-12 mm. 
March - November.

  Blue bottle fly (Calliphora vicina) Family Calliphoridae  Roodwangbromvlieg (Calliphora vicina) Familie vleesvliegen  Blue bottle fly (Calliphora vicina) Family Calliphoridae  Here it is blowing bubbles.

Blue bottle fly (Calliphora vomitoria)

Blue bottle fly (Calliphora vomitoria)  Family Calliphoridae


The Calliphora vomitoria hasn't  the bright orange cheeks.
Under the head it has golden hears. Also behind the head, but that is difficult to see on this photo.
This bottlefly lays its white eggs on a variety of  bait. 
Not as common as the
Blue bottle fly (Calliphora vicina)
Length 8-12 mm. 
March-November.

 Blue bottle fly (Calliphora vomitoria)  Blue bottle fly (Calliphora vomitoria) head On this photo you can see the golden hears 

 

Cluster flies (Pollenia) Family Blow-fly (Calliphoridae)

Cluster flies (Pollenia) Family Blow-fly (Calliphoridae)

Cluster flies (Pollenia) Family Blow-fly (Calliphoridae) Cluster flies (Pollenia) Family Blow-fly (Calliphoridae)

When the spring flowers appear (Crocus, White Squill) you will see this fly.
They belong to the genus Pollenia. Identification of Pollenia species is mostly only possible under the microscope
They have short golden hairs on their body. (not always visible)      Length about 7 mm.
The eggs are deposited on the soil near earthworms on which the larvae parasitize. I do not know that applies to all species.
Here the flies are covered with pollen. The lower flies are also Pollenia sec.
Pollenia spec. Familie Vleesvliegen (Calliphoridae)  Pollenia spec. Familie Vleesvliegen (Calliphoridae)  Pollenia spec. Familie Vleesvliegen (Calliphoridae)

 

Melanomya nana (Calliphora vomitoria)

Melanomya nana (Calliphora vomitoria) Familie vleesvliegen (Calliphoridae)

Until recently, Melanomya was counted to the family Rhinophoridae. Stéphane thanks for identify my fly.

A very small fly. About 4 mm. On these photos it is sitting on a Lady's mantle.

 

 Melanomya nana (Calliphora vomitoria)  Melanomya nana (Calliphora vomitoria)  Photos 29-5-2010 male

A beautiful site with much information:   The Garden Safari
Vliegen en Muggen van J.A. van Erkelens  A new site about flies with many beautiful photos of Joke van Erkelens.
Informatie about flies: 
http://www.diptera.info/news.php
Informatie about wasps and bees:  http://www.forum.hymis.de

I want to thank everyone, who has helped me (waarneming.nl) to identify. In particular, Joke van Erkelens, Robert Heemskerk, Mark van Veen, Gerard Pennard and Han Endt.

 

Nederlands / Dutch                                                                                            

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Subpage flies:  Tachinidae   Blow-flies (Calliphoridae)   House flies (Muscidae)  Soldierflies (Stratiomyidae)  Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae)    

                

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