What Do Blue Bottle Flies Look Like? | Fly Facts

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On March 1, 2025

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Blue bottle flies (Calliphora vomitoria) are among the most common flies found worldwide. Known for their striking metallic blue bodies, these flies are often associated with decaying matter, garbage, and even flowers. While they play an essential role in nature, they can also be a nuisance in households. Let’s take a deep dive into the appearance, characteristics, and intriguing facts about blue bottle flies.

Physical Appearance of Blue Bottle Flies

One of the most distinctive features of blue bottle flies is their vibrant, metallic blue exoskeleton. Their bodies shimmer under light, making them easily recognizable. Here are some key characteristics:

Color: Metallic blue or bluish-green body with a slightly iridescent sheen.
Size: Approximately 6-12 mm in length.
Wings: Transparent wings with visible veins; they have a rapid and erratic flight pattern.
Eyes: Large, reddish-brown compound eyes that provide them with excellent vision.
Legs: Black with fine hairs (setae) that help in detecting food sources.
Antennae: Short and bristle-like, aiding in detecting smells and vibrations.

Life Cycle of Blue Bottle Flies

Like all flies, blue bottle flies undergo complete metamorphosis, consisting of four main stages:

Egg Stage: The female lays eggs in decaying organic matter, wounds, or carcasses.
Larval Stage (Maggots): The eggs hatch into larvae (maggots) within 24 hours. These maggots feed on decomposing material and grow rapidly.
Pupal Stage: The larvae form a hard, brown pupal case where they undergo transformation.
Adult Stage: After a few days, the adult fly emerges and begins the cycle again.

Where Do Blue Bottle Flies Live?

Blue bottle flies are highly adaptable and can be found in various environments:

Urban Areas: They thrive near garbage bins, compost piles, and pet waste.
Rural Areas: Commonly found near farms, animal remains, and decaying plants.
Indoors: Often enter homes in search of food, especially during warmer months.

What Do Blue Bottle Flies Eat?

These flies are primarily scavengers, playing an essential role in the ecosystem by breaking down organic matter. Their diet includes:

Rotting meat and animal carcasses.
Decaying plant material and compost.
Nectar from flowers.
Sugary substances such as spilled drinks and fruit juices.

How Are They Different from Other Flies?

Blue bottle flies are often confused with green bottle flies or common houseflies. Here’s how they differ:

Houseflies: Smaller in size with a dull gray body.
Green Bottle Flies: Similar in appearance but have a metallic green body instead of blue.
Blowflies: A broader category that includes both blue and green bottle flies, distinguished by their metallic colors and scavenging habits.

Interesting Facts About Blue Bottle Flies

Excellent Sense of Smell: Blue bottle flies can detect odors from over a mile away, making them highly efficient in finding food sources.
Medical Uses: Maggots of blue bottle flies have been used in maggot therapy to clean infected wounds by consuming dead tissue while leaving healthy tissue intact.
Short Lifespan: Adult blue bottle flies only live for about two to four weeks, but they reproduce quickly.
Buzzing Sound: Their loud buzzing noise is a result of their rapid wingbeats, which help them stay airborne efficiently.
Cold-Blooded Creatures: These flies rely on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature, making them more active in warm conditions.

Are Blue Bottle Flies Dangerous?

While blue bottle flies are not directly harmful to humans, they can be a health hazard due to their habits:

They land on decaying matter and carry bacteria on their bodies.
They can contaminate food and surfaces, leading to foodborne illnesses.
Their presence in large numbers can be a sign of poor sanitation.

How to Get Rid of Blue Bottle Flies?

If you’re dealing with a blue bottle fly infestation, consider the following prevention and control measures:

Preventive Measures:

Keep garbage bins tightly sealed.
Dispose of pet waste promptly.
Clean up food spills and leftovers.
Install window screens to keep flies from entering your home.

Control Methods:

Fly Traps: Sticky traps or baited traps can help reduce fly numbers. These traps use attractants such as food scents or pheromones to lure flies, trapping them on adhesive surfaces or within enclosed containers where they cannot escape.
Natural Repellents: Essential oils like eucalyptus, lavender, and citronella can deter flies. These natural oils work by masking the scents that attract flies to food and waste. Spraying diluted essential oils around entry points, garbage bins, and food storage areas can help keep flies away.
Professional Pest Control: If the infestation is severe, calling a pest control service may be the best option. Professional exterminators have access to specialized insecticides and treatment methods that are more effective in eliminating flies and preventing future infestations.

Check out our range of Fly repellent products

Conclusion

Blue bottle flies are fascinating creatures with their dazzling blue exoskeleton and scavenging habits. While they play an essential role in breaking down organic matter, their presence indoors can be problematic. By understanding their behavior and taking the right precautions, you can keep these flies under control while appreciating their ecological importance.

Next time you spot a metallic blue fly buzzing around, you’ll know exactly what it is and why it’s there!