Australian Sheep Blowfly vs Blue Rove Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Australian Sheep Blowfly Blue Rove Beetle
Scientific Name Calliphora augur Paederus fuscipes
Order Diptera Coleoptera
Family Calliphoridae Staphylinidae
Size 10-13 mm 6-8 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Carrion Feeders Herbivores
Regions Australia South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Australian Sheep Blowfly

A large, dark blue blow fly endemic to Australia with a distinctive orange face and cheeks. It is one of the earliest colonizers of carrion in Australian conditions and is used in forensic entomology. Occasionally it contributes to secondary blowfly strike in sheep.

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Did You Know?

Its bright orange face distinguishes it from other blue blow flies and makes it one of the most recognizable forensic indicator species in Australia.

Blue Rove Beetle

A small, slender beetle with metallic blue elytra and an orange abdomen. It is an important biological control agent in rice paddies.

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Did You Know?

Outbreaks of skin dermatitis called 'Paederus dermatitis' occur when people unknowingly crush these beetles on their skin.