This species is very similar in appearance to L. coeruleiviridis, the primary difference being that L. mexicana has two or more complete rows of post-ocular setae.

L. mexicana has the potential to be forensically important in the stored-products and medicocriminal fields, but more research is needed for the fly to be used as evidence in criminal investigations.

L. mexicana adults are most commonly differentiated from other Lucilia species by two or more complete rows of black post-ocular setae on the head.

This species specifically has a metallic blue green thorax with purple tints, a propleuron with black setae and dark brown basal sclerites at the wing.

[4] It has eleven posteriorly spinose dorsal segments with a median pair of tubercles on the upper border of the stigmal field.

[3] In the field of medico-criminal forensic entomology, L. mexicana can be used to determine post mortem intervals using a time of colonization on corpses because the fly is attracted to freshly killed animal carcasses.

[3] As for other fields of forensic entomology, stored product specialists should keep in mind that although attributed to L. coeruleiviridis,[5] an episode of contamination of drying fruit in Sacramento Valley was most likely caused by L.

A recent study investigated the Calliphoridae population present on pig carcasses in three different Texas cities during the summer months.

Therefore, L. mexicana, among other calliphorids, can fluctuate in abundance at different individual locations over successive years.

Adults of the species L. coeruleiviridis and L. mexicana, found in Florida and Mexico respectively, are readily distinguished by morphology, but required analysis of at least two barcode regions to resolve through molecular genetics methods.

[8] Research on degree days and hours for L. mexicana would benefit investigations involving post mortem intervals.