Common blowfly vs Common Flat-body

Calliphora grahami compared with Agonopterix heracliana

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Common blowfly	Common Flat-body
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Arthropoda (Arthropods)	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class same	Insecta (Insects)	Insecta (Insects)
Order	Diptera (Diptera)	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Family	Calliphoridae	Depressariidae
Genus	Calliphora	Agonopterix
Species	Calliphora grahami	Agonopterix heracliana

Evolutionary Relationship

Common blowfly and Common Flat-body share a common ancestor at the Class level: Insecta. (Insects)

Conservation Status

Common blowfly

LC — Least Concern

Common Flat-body

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Common blowfly	Common Flat-body
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Common blowfly

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Found in United States.

Common Flat-body

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Common blowfly

The common blowfly (<em>Calliphora grahami</em>) is a fly species found across the United States, typically inhabiting all terrestrial and freshwater environments. As a member of the family Calliphoridae, this species often plays an important ecological role as a decomposer and pollinator across its range. The common blowfly is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating a stable population with no immediate threat of extinction. Its diet includes decaying organic matter, making it a significant contributor to nutrient cycling in its native habitats. The species is commonly associated with a wide variety of terrestrial ecosystems, from open grasslands to forested areas, and is often found near human settlements. Biological traits of this species remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.

Common Flat-body

<em>Agonopterix heracliana</em> is a moth belonging to the family Depressariidae within the order Lepidoptera. Commonly known as the common flat-body, this species is named for the flattened resting posture characteristic of the genus Agonopterix. The species is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, with no indication of significant population decline. <em>Agonopterix heracliana</em> is distributed across northwestern Europe, with documented occurrences in Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Larvae of this species are typically associated with plants in the family Apiaceae, particularly hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) and related umbellifers, upon which they feed while sheltering in rolled or folded leaves. Adults are typically brownish with subtle markings and are active from late summer through winter and early spring, overwintering as adults — an unusual life history trait among moths. The species inhabits hedgerows, woodland margins, and meadows where its host plants are abundant. Biological traits of this species remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.