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Glite Dictionary
Calliphoridae

Calliphoridae

1 9.9
A family of flies with shiny blue or green bodies whose larvae eat dead animals
  • noun
  • /ˌkælɪˈfɔːrɪdi/
  • Specialized
: Calliphoridae
  • The Calliphoridae are often the first insects to arrive at a carcass, making them important in forensic investigations.

Examples

  • Members of the Calliphoridae family are known for their metallic blue or green bodies.

  • The Calliphoridae family includes many species of blowflies.

  • Entomologists studied the life cycle of Calliphoridae to better understand decomposition.

  • Look at that Calliphoridae buzzing around!

  • The Calliphoridae family includes many species that are commonly found on dead animals.

  • Scientists study Calliphoridae to understand their role in the decomposition process.

  • During a picnic, we noticed several Calliphoridae hovering around the carcass.

Synonyms

family Calliphoridae
vsCalliphoridae
  • Specialized
9.4

A group of shiny flies like blowflies that visit dead animals

has identical meaning but omits the rank word in the name

Compounds

family Calliphoridae
  • Specialized
9.4

A group of shiny flies like blowflies that visit dead animals

Surface Forms

Calliphoridae singular
Calliphoridae plural

Etymology

Calliphoridae comes from Greek parts: calli- meaning 'beautiful', -phor- meaning 'to carry', and the animal family ending -idae. So think of them as 'beautiful carriers', which fits because these blowflies often have shiny, metallic bodies and are known for carrying larvae and arriving early at dead animals.