Bat Fly vs Blue Bottle Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Bat Fly Blue Bottle Fly
Scientific Name Penicillidia conspicua Calliphora vomitoria
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Nycteribiidae Calliphoridae
Size 2-5 mm 10-14 mm
Habitat Caves Woodlands
Diet Parasites Carrion Feeders
Regions Europe, Asia, Africa Europe, North America, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Bat Fly

A bizarre wingless fly that lives exclusively as an ectoparasite on bats. It has lost its wings entirely and scurries through bat fur like a spider.

💡

Did You Know?

These flies have evolved to look and move like spiders, having completely lost their wings and flattened their bodies for life in bat fur.

Blue Bottle Fly

A large, metallic blue fly with a loud buzzing flight and prominent bristly body. It is one of the first insects to arrive on carrion and is extensively used in forensic entomology.

💡

Did You Know?

Forensic scientists can determine time of death by analyzing the developmental stages of blow fly larvae found on human remains with accuracy down to hours.