Promoted
Chrysomya megacephala
Chrysomya megacephala, the oriental latrine fly. Lovely metallic body and large red eyes.
I learned that Chrysomya megacephala is one of the most common members of the genus in Australia and is of tropical origin - for example it has been reported in forensic cases in Thailand and has been responsible for causing myiasis in humans.
Because it is readily attracted to garbage, it can also act as a vector of disease, and is therefore also of sanitary importance. Adults breed mostly in carrion, but they are also attracted to garbage and faeces.
It has been bred by J. F. Wallman from human corpses in News South Wales and Queensland.
10 mm body length.
"Chrysomya megacephala" is a member of the family Calliphoridae. It is a warm-weather fly with a greenish-blue metallic box-like body. The fly infests corpses soon after death, making it important to forensic science. This fly is implicated in some public health issues; it can cause accidental myiasis, and also infects fish and livestock.
