In Britain this is the most common bluebottle and it is often associated with humans. It is 10-14 mm. The head and thorax are dull grey and the abdomen is bright metallic blue with black markings. Its body and legs are covered with black bristle-like hair. The eyes are red and the wings are clear. It has orange 'cheeks' and pale hairs at the back of the head.

Calliphora vomitoria has a dark basicosta, the anterior spiracle is brown and it has orange hairs on the lower face (like a beard).

• vein M with acute dip
• lower calypter dark (grey) on top
• yellow basicosta
• orange anterior spiracle

Anywhere in search of carrion.

Mainly April to November, but can be found at any time of year.

The female lays up to 300 eggs on fresh carrion or in open wounds. This species is important in forensic pathology because it lays its eggs on corpses at a consistent time after death, thus helping to determine the time of death.

Widespread and common in Britain.

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland