Blaue Schmeissfliege vs Common blowfly

Calliphora vicina compared with Calliphora grahami

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Blaue Schmeissfliege	Common blowfly
Kingdom same	Animalia (Tier)	Animalia (Tier)
Phylum same	Arthropoda (Gliederfüßer)	Arthropoda (Gliederfüßer)
Class same	Insecta (Insekten)	Insecta (Insekten)
Order same	Diptera (Zweiflügler)	Diptera (Zweiflügler)
Family same	Calliphoridae	Calliphoridae
Genus same	Calliphora	Calliphora
Species	Calliphora vicina	Calliphora grahami

Evolutionary Relationship

Blaue Schmeissfliege and Common blowfly share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Calliphora.

Conservation Status

Blaue Schmeissfliege

LC — Least Concern

Common blowfly

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Blaue Schmeissfliege	Common blowfly
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Blaue Schmeissfliege

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Widely distributed across Africa (South Africa), Europe (5 countries), and North America (United States).

Common blowfly

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Found in United States.

Blaue Schmeissfliege

The common blow fly (<em>Calliphora vicina</em>) is a large, metallic-blue fly belonging to the family Calliphoridae. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List and has been recorded across terrestrial and freshwater habitats in Africa, including South Africa, as well as across five European countries and the United States. <em>Calliphora vicina</em> is one of the most familiar blow fly species in temperate regions, often found around human settlements, carrion, and organic waste. It plays an important ecological role as an early colonizer of decomposing animal matter, and its predictable developmental stages make it a key species in forensic entomology for estimating post-mortem intervals. Adults typically feed on nectar, pollen, and decaying matter, while larvae develop in carrion or, occasionally, in wounds. The species is cold-tolerant and often active during cool weather when other blow flies are less abundant. Biological traits of this species remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.

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.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 1 countries:

🇺🇸 United States