blowfly
A blowfly is a large, often metallic-colored fly belonging to the family Calliphoridae. These insects are known for laying their eggs in meat, wounds, or decaying matter, and they play a crucial role in forensic science for determining time of death.
Examples
3 of 5The bright green blowfly landed on the discarded apple core in the garden.
The shiny green insect landed on the leftover middle part of the apple in the yard.
The presence of Calliphora vicina, a common blowfly, was documented in the forensic report.
The existence of a specific type of blowfly was recorded in the scientific legal document.
Close the window or that huge blowfly is going to keep buzzing around the room!
Shut the window otherwise that loud, large fly will continue making noise in the house.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of a fly that 'blows' (deposits) eggs onto meat. Its 'blowy' buzz is also much louder than a standard housefly.
Quick Quiz
The forensic entomologist collected several ______ from the scene to help estimate the time of death.
Correct!
The correct answer is: blowfly larvae
Examples
The bright green blowfly landed on the discarded apple core in the garden.
everydayThe shiny green insect landed on the leftover middle part of the apple in the yard.
The presence of Calliphora vicina, a common blowfly, was documented in the forensic report.
formalThe existence of a specific type of blowfly was recorded in the scientific legal document.
Close the window or that huge blowfly is going to keep buzzing around the room!
informalShut the window otherwise that loud, large fly will continue making noise in the house.
Ecological studies show that the blowfly is a primary scavenger in various terrestrial ecosystems.
academicScientific research indicates that this insect is a main animal that eats dead matter in land environments.
The agricultural board released a statement regarding blowfly control to protect livestock health.
businessThe farming department published information about managing these flies to keep farm animals healthy.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
blown meat
meat that has been contaminated by blowfly eggs
buzzing like a blowfly
making a loud, persistent low humming sound
forensic blowfly analysis
using blowflies to solve crimes
Often Confused With
A housefly is usually smaller and dull gray/black, whereas a blowfly is larger and often metallic green or blue.
A dragonfly has a long body and four large wings and is generally considered beautiful, unlike the scavenger blowfly.
Usage Notes
The term is most frequently used in biology, agriculture, and forensic science. In everyday speech, people might simply call them 'bluebottles' or 'greenbottles' depending on their color.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'fly' for all insects of this type, but 'blowfly' is necessary when discussing decomposition or specific agricultural pests.
Memory Tip
Think of a fly that 'blows' (deposits) eggs onto meat. Its 'blowy' buzz is also much louder than a standard housefly.
Word Origin
Derived from the old English sense of 'fly-blown,' where 'blow' meant to deposit eggs in meat.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many cultures, the blowfly is a symbol of decay or death and is often used in literature to create a macabre atmosphere.
Quick Quiz
The forensic entomologist collected several ______ from the scene to help estimate the time of death.
Correct!
The correct answer is: blowfly larvae
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
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