Calliphoridae

Family of flies that includes the blowflies. They are large flies with a metallic coloration. The arista (part of the antenna) is normally hairy for its whole length and the characteristics of these and of various other hairs are used to differentiate between members of this family.

Many members of Calliphoridae are of medical or veterinary importance, as they cause myiasis (invasion of tissue by maggots) in humans and animals. Other species develop in carrion, dung, or other decaying animal or vegetable matter, or as parasites of other insects, worms, or frogs.

Classification Calliphoridae is in the order Diptera (true flies), class Insecta, phylum Arthropoda.

Other important genera include New World screw-worms Callitroga and Old World screw-worms Chrysomyia. Several of these cause extensive damage to sheep and cattle, as well as more rarely attacking people. The African tumbu fly Cordylobia can penetrate unbroken skin, causing very painful bites, and the lesions can be serious in a heavy infestation.

The genus Auchneromyia is unusual in that the larvae are blood-sucking ectoparasites, which feed on birds.