Snipe Fly vs Bluebottle Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Snipe Fly | Bluebottle Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rhagio scolopaceus | Calliphora vicina |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Rhagionidae | Calliphoridae |
| Size | 10-15 mm | 10-12 mm |
| Habitat | Hedgerows | Farmland |
| Diet | Predators | Carrion Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Snipe Fly
A slender, brownish fly with a pointed abdomen and spotted wings that typically perches head-down on tree trunks and fence posts. Adults are ambush predators of smaller insects.
Did You Know?
This fly characteristically rests head-down on vertical surfaces, earning it the folk name "down-looker fly," and lunges at passing prey from this position.
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.
Did You Know?
One of the most important forensic indicator species, helping police estimate time of death from larval development stage.