Bottle flies are common large flies known for their majestic blue or green colouring. The lifecycle of a greenbottle fly is approximately 21 to 30 days. Each female will lay between 130 - 180 eggs at a time. Depending on the climatic conditions and temperature the eggs hatch into tiny larvae within 2 to 10 days.
These flies commonly feed on carcasses of dead animals and other decaying materials. Should there be a shortage of food, the female fly would feed on the nectar of strong fragrant flowers to ensure that healthy eggs are laid. Therefore, these flies play a major role as polinators because the pollen grains become attach to the bristle-like hair on their bodies.
In earlier times, maggots were used in treating patients with flesh wounds, as they consume dead tissue/damaged flesh - thus assisting with the healing process of the wound.
I wonder if this metod is still practiced in some countries?
(Our Staffordshire Terrier, Stretch, celebrated his 10th birthday on the 1st of August 2010. The fly in this photo could not wait for him to finish his lunch, and as soon as Stretch deserted the leftovers the fly happily took charge of the remains!)
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