Discover
Identify
Record
Calliphora vomitoria
This large 'bluebottle' fly has a characteristic shiny blue abdomen and a dark thorax. The orange hairs on the gena and post gena, looking like a ginger beard, help to distinguish this species. Although common and widespread, this species is not usually associated with people in the same way as the closely related Calliphora vicina.
It is very similar to Calliphora vicina but C. vomitoria has an orange 'beard'.
A photo showing the orange 'beard' is usually sufficient.
Anywhere in search of carrion.
Mainly April to October but it can be seen on any sunny day during the winter.
Detritus feeder: larvae found in decaying organic material and especially carrion.
Common and widespread in England and Wales.
Common in Leicestershire and Rutland
Leicestershire & Rutland Map
Enter a town or village to see local records
MAP KEY:
Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015
UK Map
Species profile
- Species group:
- Flies
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
- Order:
- Diptera
- Family:
- Calliphoridae
- Records on NatureSpot:
- 9
- First record:
- 29/03/2009 (Calow, Graham)
- Last record:
- 18/10/2023 (Nicholls, David)
Total records by month
% of records within its species group
10km squares with records
The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.
In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.