Bluebottle Fly vs Log Miner Midge

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Bluebottle Fly Log Miner Midge
Scientific Name Calliphora vicina Stenochironomus hilaris
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Calliphoridae Chironomidae
Size 10-12 mm 5-8 mm
Habitat Farmland Rivers & Streams
Diet Carrion Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions Europe, North America North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Bluebottle Fly

A common metallic blue blowfly found in urban areas worldwide. Breeds in dead pigeons, rodents and meat. An important species in forensic entomology for estimating time of death.

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Did You Know?

One of the most important forensic indicator species, helping police estimate time of death from larval development stage.

Log Miner Midge

A wood-mining chironomid whose larvae bore into submerged decaying logs in streams. Larvae create visible galleries beneath the bark of waterlogged timber.

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Did You Know?

It is one of very few insects whose larvae can digest submerged waterlogged wood.