Taxonomy

Family: Calliphoridae

Subfamily: Chrysomyinae

Genus: Chrysomya Robineau Desvoidy 1830

Species: varipes (Macquart 1851)

The first- and second-instar larvae were described by O'Flynn and Moorhouse (1980), and the third-instar larva by Erzinçlioglu (1984).

Biology

Chrysomya varipes is a small fly, rarely exceeding 6mm in body length. Adults can be found in high abundance around carrion. In fact, Chrysomya varipes can often be the most abundant calliphorid found at a carcass, particularly in summer when they are at their peak. Archer and Elgar (2003) observed Ch. varipes to be more attracted to carcasses in the initial stages of decomposition rather than the advanced stages. Male Ch. varipes have prominant white hairs on their fore femora, which are thought to enhance their attractiveness to females (see picture).

Distribution

Chrysomya varipes has been recorded from all Australian states and territories, except Tasmania. It can decrease in abundance or become completely absent from parts of its range during winter, particularly in southern areas of its distribution.

Relevant Literature

Archer, M.S. and Elgar, M.A. (2003a). Effects of decomposition on carcass attendance in a guild of carrion-breeding flies. Medical and Veterinary Entomology 17, 263-271.

Archer, M.S. and Elgar, M.A. (2003b). Yearly activity patterns in southern Victoria (Australia) of seasonally active carrion insects. Forensic Science International 132, 173-176.

Fuller, M.E. (1934) The insect inhabitants of carrion: a study in animal ecology. Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Australia, Bulletin 82, 1-63.

O'Flynn, M.A. (1983) The succession and rate of development of blowflies in southern Queensland and the application of these data to forensic entomology. Journal of the Australian Entomological Society 22, 137-148.

O'Flynn, M.A. and Moorhouse, D.E. (1979) Species of Chrysomya as primary flies in carrion. Journal of the Australian Entomological Society 18, 31-32.