Australian Sheep Blowfly
Scientific name: Lucilia cuprina
Click to enlarge image
Sheep Blowfly on Eucalypt flower, Lucilia cuprina
Image: -
© CSIRO
© CSIRO
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Lucilia
- Species
- cuprina
- Family
- Calliphoridae
- Super Family
- Oestroidea
- Order
- Diptera
- Class
- Insecta
- Subphylum
- Uniramia
- Phylum
- Arthopoda
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- 6-9 mm
Australian Sheep Blowfly, Lucilia cuprina
Image: R. Major
© Australian Museum
© Australian Museum
Introduction
The Australian Sheep Blowfly is an introduced pest.
Habitat
The Australian Sheep Blowfly lives in urban areas, semi-arid environments, forests and woodlands.
Distribution
The Australian Sheep Blowfly is found throughout Australia.
Feeding and diet
The larvae of the Australian Sheep Blowfly normally feed on carcasses of dead animals but will also cause fly-strike in sheep. Fly-strike occurs when maggots feed on living flesh near open wounds, and is one of the most significant problems for the pastoral industry in Australia.
Life history cycle
Adult Australian Sheep Blowflys are attracted to meat or living flesh and, like many blowflies (family Calliphoridae), they lay maggots rather than eggs. This means their full life cycle can sometimes be completed within seven days.
