This small blow fly is approximately 3/8 inch (10 mm) in length. They are metallic green, bronze or blue in color and have black bristles on the thorax. They have large red eyes and clear wings.
These are common flies that fly from spring through fall. They can be seen sitting on the walls of buildings, nectaring on flowers and laying eggs on carrion.
The larvae are scavengers in carrion and excrement. Blow flies can help forensic scientists solve crimes. Since flies arrive at the carcass in a known sequence, by taking note of the stage of development investigators can determine the time of death.
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