What type of fly typically lays its eggs on a carcass?

The blow fly is known for its distinctive behavior of laying eggs on decaying organic matter, including carcasses. This type of fly is particularly attracted to dead animals because the tissue provides a rich source of nutrients for their developing larvae. The female blow fly can detect the scents released by decomposing matter from considerable distances, leading her to the carcass where she will deposit her eggs.

The larvae, or maggots, that emerge from these eggs then feed on the decaying tissue, growing and maturing rapidly. This lifecycle is an important part of the decomposition process in ecosystems.

In contrast, while flesh flies also lays eggs on carrion, they are typically known for laying their eggs directly into the flesh of the carcass rather than on the surface. Hover flies primarily feed on nectar and pollen and do not lay eggs on carcasses; similarly, drain flies breed in moist organic matter but are not associated with carcasses. Thus, the blow fly is the most common fly associated with the laying of eggs on carcasses.