Calliphoridae

Calliphoridae is a family of flies that includes blow flies, many of which lay eggs in carrion or other decaying organic matter. Its species also include pollinators, parasites, and forensic indicators.

Diptera: Diptera is the insect order of true flies, characterized by one functional pair of wings and hindwings modified into halteres. Calliphoridae is one family within this order of true flies.
Forensic entomology: Forensic entomology applies insect evidence to legal investigations, including estimates of postmortem intervals. Calliphorid development and arrival patterns can help estimate how long a body has been exposed.
Calliphora vicina: Calliphora vicina is a bluebottle blow fly common in temperate regions and frequently associated with carrion. Its predictable seasonal activity makes it useful in forensic casework.
Complete metamorphosis: Complete metamorphosis is insect development through distinct egg, larval, pupal, and adult stages. Calliphorids pass through all four stages as they develop.
Carrion ecology: Carrion ecology studies the organisms and processes involved in the consumption and breakdown of animal remains. Blow flies are often among the first insects to colonize fresh remains.
Cyclorrhapha: Cyclorrhapha is a major group of flies whose adults emerge from a puparium through a circular opening. Most familiar blow flies belong to this large group of higher flies.
Postmortem interval: The postmortem interval is the time elapsed between a person's death and discovery or examination. Blow-fly eggs and larvae can provide evidence about its minimum duration.
Calliphora vomitoria: Calliphora vomitoria is a large bluebottle blow fly found across much of the Northern Hemisphere. It exemplifies carrion-breeding blow flies recognizable by their metallic blue bodies.
Oviposition: Oviposition is the act of laying eggs at a location suited to offspring development. Blow flies select carrion and other substrates where their larvae can feed.
Insect succession: Insect succession is the changing sequence of insect communities that colonize a decomposing resource over time. Calliphorids often arrive early, helping establish the sequence used in forensic interpretation.

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