Calliphora stygia

Evolution

''Calliphora stygia'' has three life stages; 3 larval instars, pupa, and adult. The larval stage is very difficult to identify species. has a break down as to how to distinguish several different larvae. Most entomologists wait until the adult emerges to identify the species.

Larva feed on the soft tissues of a corpse or host that they were placed on by their parent. Due to their main source of food, ''C. stygia'' bioaccumulate toxins and heavy metals that may be present in the flesh. Insects can hold these toxins for months after the tissues disappear....hieroglyph snipped... These flies are also affected by weather conditions. The third instar is extremely tolerant to wet conditions,...hieroglyph snipped... but perish at temperatures greater than 35 degree Celsius.

Pupation, on average, take around 32 hours, but can take up to 48. This state can last as long as 3 weeks in wet, dark, and highly oxygenated conditions. Dry conditions tend to increase mortality rates. Emergence typically happens at dawn when environmental conditions are more humid, and more favorable to young flies. ''C. stygia'' don't appear to have a seasonal dependence for emergence; however they do have light and temperature cues. These flies are capable of emerging in the absence of those cues, and this is thought to be done with circadian rhythms that are set during the last instar before pupation. ''C. stygia'''s circadian rhythm tends to be 23 hours on average.

Adults tend to produce equal proportions of male and female offspring, and are capable of laying eggs all year round. Life spans of ''C. stygia'' adults range on average from 15–91 days depending on the temperature in their early adult life, as well as their levels the fat concentration received from their diets....hieroglyph snipped... Low temperatures and low fat diets appear to prolong their adult life span. As they age they decrease their caloric intake. Female flies on high fat diets lived longer than males on the same food, and the reverse happened with low fat diets. Diet does not appear to affect ''C. stygia'' egg production, though warmer temperature will delay egg laying.

''Calliphora stygia'' are capable of detecting the odors that occur immediately after death. Their chemosensory sensilla, which have their olfactory neurons are primarily located at the tips of their antennae, as well as on their maxillary palps, aid in their hunt for food sources. They have three part to their antennal receptors: odorant receptors, gustatory receptors, and ionotropic receptors. There does not appear to be any difference in the olfactory capabilities of ''C. stygia'' between sexes, but it is believed the male and females flies perceive scents differently, especially pheromones....hieroglyph snipped... This area needs more insight from future research.