"On the Fly"
James Wallman, Senior Lecturer

The beautiful fly depicted here, Chrysomya rufifacies, is currently the focus of intense research in the ICB. This widespread species is important ecologically and forensically in many parts of Australia and elsewhere in the world. Its offspring, colloquially referred to as ‘hairy maggots’ because of their distinctive appearance, devour the bodies of dead animals. They also supplement their diet by feasting on the maggots of other species! This individual was caught resting above the carcass of a dead kangaroo in Western Australia.