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Glite Dictionary
Calliphora vicina

Calliphora vicina

9.9
A common blue blowfly that makes a loud buzzing sound and lives near dead animals or trash
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Calliphora vicina
  • Calliphora vicina is often recognized for its bright blue color and loud buzzing when it flies.

Examples

  • Forensic entomologists often study Calliphora vicina to estimate the time of death.

  • The wings of Calliphora vicina produce a distinctive buzzing sound.

  • Calliphora vicina is commonly found near decaying organic matter in urban areas.

  • The Calliphora vicina is often found near decaying matter.

  • Have you seen a Calliphora vicina buzzing around?

  • Many people are startled by the loud buzz of a Calliphora vicina as it approaches.

  • The Calliphora vicina can be found buzzing around compost piles or garbage bins.

Synonyms

blowfly
vsCalliphora vicina
4 7.8

A large shiny fly that lays eggs in dead animals, dung, or wounds

is one specific species in that group with an iridescent blue body
bluebottle
vsCalliphora vicina
  • UK
1 6.8

A large metallic blue fly that buzzes loudly near garbage or rotten food

is the same in appearance but refers to one specific species

Surface Forms

Calliphora vicina singular
Calliphora vicinas plural

Morphology

Calliphora + vicina

This is a Latin binomial (taxonomic) name functioning as a proper noun; its meaning is a species label rather than a compositional phrase. The second element 'vicina' is not a normal English word and even knowing 'Calliphora' as a genus would not allow a B1 learner to derive the specific species meaning, so the expression is not transparently predictable from its parts.

Etymology

Calliphora vicina may come from old Greek and Latin words. The first part, Calliphora, means 'beautiful carrier' because the fly has a shiny blue body, and vicina means 'near' or 'neighbor', because this species is often found close to people and towns.