Stats

Lifespan

2-4 weeks

Size

Small

Diet

Decomposer

Activity

Diurnal

Social

Solitary

Biome

Savanna and grassland

Range

Sub-Saharan Africa

Movement

Flight

Breeding

Egg-laying

Defense

Speed

Status

Rare

About

This metallic fly inhabits decaying organic matter across open grasslands. Its larvae secrete enzymes that liquefy solid food before they ingest it.

Life cycle

1. 1.
   egg

   A small egg is laid on or near the larval food source and hatches within days or weeks.
2. 2.
   juvenile

   An immature insect feeds and molts, growing through successive instars.
3. 3.
   subadult

   A near-adult insect has wing buds or near-mature form, one molt away from full size.
4. 4.
   adult

   Fully grown, with full wings and adult coloration.

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Taxonomy

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Arthropoda

Class

Insecta

Order

Diptera

Family

Calliphoridae

Genus

Chrysomya

Species

Chrysomya chloropyga