Bluebottle Fly vs Rugose Carrion Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Bluebottle Fly Rugose Carrion Beetle
Scientific Name Calliphora vicina Thanatophilus rugosus
Order Diptera Coleoptera
Family Calliphoridae Silphidae
Size 10-12 mm 9-12 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Carrion Feeders Carrion Feeders
Regions Europe, North America Europe, Northern Asia, 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.

Rugose Carrion Beetle

A small, dark silphid with heavily textured, rugose wing cases. It frequents sun-exposed carrion in open landscapes.

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Did You Know?

Females lay eggs on carcasses already infested with fly larvae, and their own larvae then feed on the maggots.