Blue Bottle Fly vs Long-tailed Dance Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Blue Bottle Fly Long-tailed Dance Fly
Scientific Name Calliphora vomitoria Rhamphomyia longicauda
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Calliphoridae Empididae
Size 10-14 mm 5-8mm
Habitat Woodlands Ponds & Lakes
Diet Carrion Feeders Predators
Regions Europe, North America, Asia North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

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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.

Long-tailed Dance Fly

A small dark fly where females inflate their legs with air to appear larger during mating swarms. Males present nuptial gifts.

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Did You Know?

Females inflate their legs with air bubbles to look larger and more impressive to choosy males in mating swarms.