Common Green Bottle fly

Description:

The defining characteristic of L. sericata, and most used when identifying the adult fly is the presence of three bristles on the dorsal mesothorax. This body region is located on the middle of the back of the fly. L. sericata is almost identical to its sister species, Lucilia cuprina. Identification between these requires microscopic examination of two main distinguishing characteristics. As opposed to L. cuprina which has a metallic green femoral joint in the first pair of legs, L. sericata is blue-black. Also, when looking at the occipital setae, L. sericata has 6–8 bristles on each side while L. cuprina have only one. [3] Life cycle Green bottle fly3.jpg L. sericata begin their life cycle by laying a mass of eggs in a wounded area, a carcass or corpse, or in necrotic or decaying tissue. The eggs will hatch out in anywhere from 8–10 hours in warm moist weather to three days in cooler weather. L. sericata can have a lifetime reproductive output of 130 to 172 eggs The pale yellow or grayish conical larvae, like that of most blowflies, have two posterior spiracles through which respiration occurs.These larvae are moderately sized ranging from 10 to 14 millimeters long. The larva feeds on the dead or necrotic tissue anywhere from 3 to 10 days, again, depending on the temperature. During these 4 to 8 days the larva passes through 3 larval instars. The larval instars will develop according to the temperature in their environment. The cooler the temperature (16˚C) the first larva instar will take about 53 hours, the second instar will take about 42 hours and the third instar will take about 98 hours to complete that portion of their life cycle. At warmer temperatures (27˚C) the first larva instar will take about 31 hours, the second instar will take about 12 hours, and the third instar will take about 40 hours to complete that specific stage of the life cycle. [4] The third instar larva will then drop off of the host onto soil where it will pupate for 6 to 14 days. However, if the temperature is relatively cold, the pupa can also overwinter in the soil until the soil temperature warms again. After the pupa transforms, the adult will emerge from the soil and also feed on dead or necrotic tissue. Adults usually lay eggs about 2 weeks after they emerge. Their total life cycle ranges from 2 to 3 weeks, but again can be shortened during the summer when they are most active, or lengthened in cooler seasons. L. sericata usually completes 3 or 4 generations each year.[5]

Notes:

is a common blow-fly found in most areas of the world, and the most well-known of the numerous green bottle fly species. It is 10–14 mm long, slightly larger than a housefly, and has brilliant, metallic, blue-green or golden coloration with black markings. It has black bristle-like hair and three cross-grooves on the thorax. The wings are clear with light brown veins, and the legs and antennae are black. The maggots (larvae) of the fly are used for maggot therapy.