Bush Fly vs Black Blow Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Bush Fly Black Blow Fly
Scientific Name Musca vetustissima Phormia regina
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Muscidae Calliphoridae
Size 5-7 mm 9-13 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Dung Feeders Carrion Feeders
Regions Australia North America, Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Bush Fly

Australia's most iconic nuisance fly, swarming around faces to feed on moisture. It breeds in cattle dung across the Australian outback.

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Did You Know?

The classic 'Aussie salute' — waving a hand in front of the face — exists because of this fly.

Black Blow Fly

A dark metallic blow fly that is among the first insects to colonize a corpse. It is a key species in forensic entomology across North America.

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Did You Know?

It can detect a dead body from over a mile away using chemoreceptors on its antennae.