Silver Y vs Copper-Bottom Blow Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Silver Y Copper-Bottom Blow Fly
Scientific Name Autographa gamma Lucilia cuprina
Order Lepidoptera Diptera
Family Noctuidae Calliphoridae
Size 35-45 mm wingspan 9-13 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Nectar Feeders Carrion Feeders
Regions Europe, Asia, Africa Australia, South Africa, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Silver Y

A migratory moth marked with a bright silvery Y or gamma symbol on each forewing. Billions migrate northward across Europe each spring in one of nature's great insect movements.

💡

Did You Know?

Radar studies revealed that up to 250 million Silver Y moths cross into Britain in a single summer.

Copper-Bottom Blow Fly

A metallic green-gold blow fly that is the most destructive cause of sheep blowfly strike in Australia and South Africa. Females lay eggs in soiled wool, and larvae burrow into the skin, causing severe tissue destruction. It has developed resistance to multiple insecticides used for livestock protection.

💡

Did You Know?

Australia loses over 170 million dollars annually to sheep blowfly strike caused by this species.