Three new species of Australian 'golden blowflies' (Diptera : Calliphoridae : Calliphora), with a key to described species

Abstract

Calliphora maritima, C. forresri and C. gilesi from southern Australia are described as new. They belong to a group of blowflies that have the abdominal dorsum mottled gold, or checkering from gold to olive or brown, according to the angle of viewing, and have legs chiefly yellow to brown, but never entirely black. These 'golden blowflies' are readily recognised as such, even in the field, but, pending refinement of taxonomic subdivision, are here assigned only to the broad genus Calliphora Robineau-Desvoidy. A key is given for the identification of described species of 'golden blowflies'.