Bluebottle Fly vs White Ermine

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Bluebottle Fly White Ermine
Scientific Name Calliphora vicina Spilosoma lubricipeda
Order Diptera Lepidoptera
Family Calliphoridae Erebidae
Size 10-12 mm 34-42 mm wingspan
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Carrion Feeders Herbivores
Regions Europe, North America Europe, temperate Asia
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.

White Ermine

A pure white moth peppered with variable black dots, resembling ermine fur. The number of spots varies greatly between individuals.

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Did You Know?

Some individuals have so few spots they appear nearly pure white, while others are heavily marked.