Sheep blowflies

Summary

The Australian sheep blowfly (Lucilia cuprina) is the major pest blowfly species in Australia.

It is responsible for initiating over 90 per cent of all flystrike. The adult fly is metallic green/bronze in colour. Body length is 9 mm.

The larvae (maggots) of Lucilia are smooth and cream coloured. When full size they are about 13 mm long.

This species has developed resistance to several classes of insecticides including organochlorins, organophosphates and benzoylphenyl urea insect growth regulators.

This Primefact covers the following topics:

• The Australian sheep blowfly Lucilia cuprina
• Life cycle of Lucilia cuprina
• Other common blowflies that may strike sheep in New South Wales
• Approximate relative sizes