''Calliphora'' is a genus of

blow flies The Calliphoridae (commonly known as blow flies, blow-flies, carrion flies, bluebottles, greenbottles, or cluster flies) are a family of insects in the order Diptera, with almost 1,900 known species. The maggot larvae, often used as fishing b ...

, also known as bottle flies, found in most parts of the world, with the highest diversity in Australia. The most widespread species in North America area '' Calliphora livida'', '' C. vicina'', and '' C. vomitoria''. ''Calliphora'', meaning "bearer of beauty", was first formally named in 1830 by Jean-Baptiste Robineau-Desvoidy. It is the type genus of the

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

Calliphoridae.

Description

Adults of ''Calliphora'' have a grey or black thorax, the colour dulled by a heavy microtomentum. The abdomen is metallic blue (rarely purple or green) and sometimes also dulled by microtomentum. The suprasquamal ridge is bare or with inconspicuous fine

setae In biology, setae (singular seta ; from the Latin word for "bristle") are any of a number of different bristle- or hair-like structures on living organisms. Animal setae Protostomes Annelid setae are stiff bristles present on the body. Th ...

only. The first flagellomere of the

antenna Antenna ( antennas or antennae) may refer to: Science and engineering * Antenna (radio), also known as an aerial, a transducer designed to transmit or receive electromagnetic (e.g., TV or radio) waves * Antennae Galaxies, the name of two collid ...

is more than twice the length of the pedicel. Larvae have two posterior spiracles with a thick and unbroken peritreme, and (like other Calliphoridae larvae) containing straight slits. There is an accessory sclerite between the mouth hooks, though this is not visible in whole larvae.

Species

Species in the genus ''Calliphora'' include:

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q2213438 Calliphoridae Oestroidea genera Taxa named by Jean-Baptiste Robineau-Desvoidy