Fly
Green Bottle Fly
Lucilia sericata
Biology
Lucilia sericata, commonly known as the common green bottle fly, belongs to the family Calliphoridae. Adults are metallic green or blue-green, robust flies, typically 7-12 mm in length, with distinctive golden or bronze reflections. The lifecycle from egg to adult is relatively short, often completed within 9-21 days under optimal conditions of 25-30°C and high humidity. Females lay batches of 100-200 elongated, white eggs on decaying flesh or carrion. Larvae, or maggots, are creamy white, legless, and tapered anteriorly, developing through three instars over 3-10 days. Pupation occurs in the soil, with the pupal stage lasting approximately 7-14 days.
Behaviour
Green bottle flies are highly attracted to decaying organic matter, particularly carrion and animal waste, which serve as crucial oviposition sites and protein sources for adult females. Foraging adults also feed on nectar, sap, and sugary substances. They are strong, rapid fliers, often observed in sunny areas. Females exhibit a remarkable ability to detect suitable breeding materials through olfaction over significant distances. Their flight pattern is typically direct and persistent towards odor sources. Adults frequently rest on sunlit surfaces, walls, and vegetation near food and breeding sites.
Habits
Lucilia sericata are widespread in both urban and rural environments, commonly associated with areas containing decaying animal matter. Harborage sites include refuse dumps, gardens, livestock facilities, and any location with exposed animal carcasses or waste. Larval development is entirely dependent on moist, decomposing proteinaceous material. Conducive conditions include poor sanitation, accumulation of animal excrement, exposed meat products, and unmanaged refuse. High temperatures and humidity accelerate their rapid reproductive cycle and contribute to increased populations.
Control methods
- 1Remove carrion and decaying meat.
- 2Improve waste disposal and management.
- 3Exclude flies from buildings.
- 4Apply residual insecticides.
- 5Use fly traps and bait stations.
- 6Maintain clean surroundings.
Tailored to Green Bottle Fly
IPM Procedure Checklist
Inspection
- Locate breeding sites: drains, decaying matter, moist organics
- Use tape-over-drain tests and UV/light traps to confirm
- Map dumpster, grease and floor-drain hot-spots
Identification
- Confirm Green Bottle Fly (Lucilia sericata) — not a look-alike
- Note life stage and risk level: Moderate
- Capture clear photos and samples for the record
Action Thresholds
- Trigger action when monitor counts trend up
- Re-evaluate weekly during active season
- Document trigger criteria in the IPM plan
Prevention
- Clean drains with enzymatic foam to remove biofilm
- Manage trash, recycling and grease daily
- Screen windows, doors and air curtains at entries
Control Methods
- Remove carrion and decaying meat.
- Improve waste disposal and management.
- Exclude flies from buildings.
- Apply residual insecticides.
Monitoring & Evaluation
- Service monitors on schedule and trend captures
- Re-inspect for Green Bottle Fly activity at follow-up
- Adjust tactics based on data; report findings to client