Picture Source : http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/livestock/flies/lucilia_sericata.htm
The Green Bottle Fly & Human Society
The green bottle fly, more commonly known as the blow fly is present in our everyday lives. Whether we are aware or not, it is a working member of our society. Friend and foe, the green bottle fly is paramount to society through many different applications. We've used them to aid in surgery, healing wounds, and in forensic science. The Green Bottle Flys are carrion scavengers and aid in breaking down dead animals, returning nutrients to the soil. They aid in pollination when they visit certain flowers for sugars "their abilities compare with those of bees" (Heath 1982). A little-known fact about this insect is the maggots or larvae of the bottle fly are used for food in some parts of the world.
Society also struggles with the green bottle fly. The maggots of the fly are known to cause death in livestock when they feed off the wounds of living animals, particularly sheep. Economic losses in the livestock sector can be high if the flys aren't controlled. They are vectors for human and animal diseases because they often lay their eggs in dead flesh, exposing themselves to disease.
Bottle Flys in Forensic Science - Forensic scientists are able to use the help of the bottle fly to determine the approximate time of death of a corpse. The life cycle of the bottle fly has been studied thoroughly, and it is known that they are the first insect to inhabit a corpse. Scientists can observe the life stage of the bottle fly on a corpse and determine the length of time since expiry.
For more information on forensic science and entomology refer to the below video.
Society also struggles with the green bottle fly. The maggots of the fly are known to cause death in livestock when they feed off the wounds of living animals, particularly sheep. Economic losses in the livestock sector can be high if the flys aren't controlled. They are vectors for human and animal diseases because they often lay their eggs in dead flesh, exposing themselves to disease.
Bottle Flys in Forensic Science - Forensic scientists are able to use the help of the bottle fly to determine the approximate time of death of a corpse. The life cycle of the bottle fly has been studied thoroughly, and it is known that they are the first insect to inhabit a corpse. Scientists can observe the life stage of the bottle fly on a corpse and determine the length of time since expiry.
For more information on forensic science and entomology refer to the below video.
Bottle Flys in Medicine -Myiasis is a medical term used to describe the infestation of a wound with insects. Maggots are known to infest wounds naturally in cases of neglect.
In the case of using maggots for medical purposes "The French surgeon Ambroise Pare (1510-1590) was the first doctor to have noted the remarkable effect of fly larvae on wound healing" (Kruglikova 2013). Later, during the time of Naoplean's campaigns a surgeon known as Dominique-Jean Larrey also began using maggots to heal wounds. The first documented cases for using myiasis to heal patients was during World War I. After the invention of antibiotics it became unnecessary to use maggots for wound therapy. Today wound therapy is still an option for antibiotic resistant infections.
For more information on maggots in medicine refer to the below video.
In the case of using maggots for medical purposes "The French surgeon Ambroise Pare (1510-1590) was the first doctor to have noted the remarkable effect of fly larvae on wound healing" (Kruglikova 2013). Later, during the time of Naoplean's campaigns a surgeon known as Dominique-Jean Larrey also began using maggots to heal wounds. The first documented cases for using myiasis to heal patients was during World War I. After the invention of antibiotics it became unnecessary to use maggots for wound therapy. Today wound therapy is still an option for antibiotic resistant infections.
For more information on maggots in medicine refer to the below video.
Photo Source: http://www.uniprot.org/taxonomy/13632