However the New Zealand blue blowfly larvae can survive on decaying leaves of snow tussock in alpine regions and reach adult maturity without feeding on any animal tissue.

The head is often so small it is hidden in the thoracic segment it has two lobes, a pair of antennae and also a pair of maxillary palps which are bristle like hairs attached to the mouthparts of the larvae that serve as an additional sensory structure.

The thorax has very large orange spiracles which are essentially holes that serve as the insect's respiratory system.

The mesonotum which are middle sclerotized plates on the dorsal surface of the thorax are evenly grey dusted.

Approximately two weeks after pupa development an adult fly is formed ready to mate.

[2] The New Zealand blue blowfly predominately mates over the summer months, in particular February, because it relies on warmer temperatures for egg to adult development.

[4] Calliphora quadimaculata have several different predators that include fish, spiders, frogs other bigger insects and birds.

[2] In terms of crime scene investigations a blowfly has the ability to get into dead buried corpses under the ground.