In 1926, American entomologist Julie Bockman identified the species Lucilia thatuna during his work with the U.S. Bureau of Entomology.

Although other species in the genus Lucilia are called "green bottle flies," L. thatuna can be identified by a shiny, bluish thorax and abdomen (Whitworth 2006).

Adult females tend to be slightly larger than males, with smaller eyes placed more laterally on the head and the ocellar triangle not surpassing the halfway point to the lunule.

Other distinguishing characteristics include the presence of three postacrostichal setae and the first flaellomere broader in width than the parafacial at the level of the lunule (Whitworth 2006).

During this time, L. thatuna actively rearranges its physical composition to emerge as an adult fly after approximately two weeks depending on temperature (Byrd 2001).

This disease is initiated by dipterous eggs being laid in natural body openings or exposed wounds (Stevens 2003).

This type of therapy is effective because the maggots only eat the necrotic tissue, thus cleaning out the wound and promoting healing.

They usually produce positive results via three mechanisms of action: Debridement, disinfection, and stimulation of healing properties (The Role of Maggots 2009).

Upon reaching the carrion, females will oviposit their eggs in moist openings such as the eyes, nose, mouth, and anus.

Given an ambient temperature, forensic entomologists can use degree day calculations to produce an accurate PMI, or post mortem interval.