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Blow Fly

Calliphoridae sp.

Description:

Calliphoridae adults are commonly shiny with metallic coloring, often with blue, green, or black thoraxes and abdomen. Adult blow-flies are occasional pollinators, being attracted to flowers that simulate the odor of decaying flesh referred to as carrion flowers. These flowers include Jack-in-the-pulpit, Skunk cabbage, American pawpaw & Red Trillium. Blow flies also play an important part in forensic entomology. They are the first insects to come in contact with carrion and since their egg development is highly predictable, they can be a valuable tool for determining the time of human death.

Habitat:

Worldwide. A wide variety of habitats including urban areas.

Notes:

Observed covered in morning dew.

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8 Comments

Small Wonders
Small Wonders 11 years ago

Thank you so much willie!

williefromwi
williefromwi 11 years ago

Wow, what a stunning capture of a blow fly, Small Wonders. I love the detail you have captured.

Small Wonders
Small Wonders 12 years ago

Thanks Jeannette! It can be frustrating - I get a lot of glare in bright light. I would love a polarized lens filter... Although this camera has good macro, it does not have a lens adapter kit so I cannot add filters :(

Jeannette
Jeannette 12 years ago

Then I am even more impressed :)

Small Wonders
Small Wonders 12 years ago

Thank you Susan, Jeannette & ceherzog!
Susan... a compact - Canon Powershot SX100 - It has a very good macro setting for a compact, and it's much easier to sneak up on the insects with this small camera :)

ceherzog
ceherzog 12 years ago

Your macro work is just outstanding!

Jeannette
Jeannette 12 years ago

Amazing :)

SusanEllison
SusanEllison 12 years ago

wow..just curious...what lens do you use for this magnificient shot??

Small Wonders
Spotted by
Small Wonders

Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA

Spotted on Mar 22, 2012
Submitted on Mar 23, 2012

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