myrmecos.net

Calliphoridae - Blow Fly
Northern Sierra Nevada, California, USA

photograph © Alex Wild 2005

Calliphorid flies are usually among the first insects to arrive at a fresh carcass, where they mate and lay eggs on the recently dead animal.  These flies play important roles in terrestrial ecosystems as recyclers of animal biomass.  Calliphorids are also directly relevant to human affairs, as they are sometimes collected by forensic entomologists from human remains to help determine time of death. 
 

USA, CA, Nevada Co.: Sagehen Creek Field Station. 21.vii.2005, 39º26'N 120º14'W, 1900m
Riparian meadow, on a weasel carcass.


This image is copyrighted by the photographer and cannot be used without permission. To obtain permission to use this image, please email Alex Wild. (alwild (at) myrmecos.net).  Most of the photographs on myrmecos.net are reduced from their original size and compressed for more efficient web transmission.  In some cases, higher quality versions are available.

This image was captured with a Canon EOS D60, with a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Lens.