Australian Sheep Blowfly vs Green Metallic Tunneler
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Australian Sheep Blowfly | Green Metallic Tunneler |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Calliphora augur | Onitis alexis |
| Order | Diptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Calliphoridae | Scarabaeidae |
| Size | 10-13 mm | 14-22 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Carrion Feeders | Dung Feeders |
| Regions | Australia | Africa, introduced to Australia |
| 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.
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.
Green Metallic Tunneler
A medium-sized tunneling dung beetle with a metallic green pronotum and dark brown elytra. Males have an enlarged prothorax. It constructs vertical tunnels beneath cattle dung and is nocturnal.
Did You Know?
Introduced to Australia in the 1980s, this species was specifically targeted for its ability to handle cattle dung in tropical climates.