These flies are normally metallic green or blue in color. They have a dull grey head, and thorax and their abdomens are a bright metallic blue in color with black marks. Their bodies and legs are covered with bristly black hair. Their chests are a bright purple with spikes to protect them from attacks from other flies.
They fly in packs, and when one gets food, it sends out pheromones to alert the others of its find. They are primarily scavengers that enjoy feeding on decaying matter and are health hazards as they can easily transmit disease.
Females lay as much as 180 eggs at a time that are yellow or gray in color. The eggs hatch into larva that is between 10 -14 mm long. In two to ten days, this larva can become a pupa. From the pupa stage, they become full grown flies. Generally they are fond of laying their eggs on the decaying matter they enjoy eating such as meat, fish and feces among others.
They have one benefit, in that they are excellent pollinators. They do this in flowers with strong odors such as the golden rod. This is because during food shortage they feed on the nectar of such strong smelling flowers so as to produce health eggs.
They can only keep away from a place if there are strict hygiene measures in place. This includes disposing of garbage appropriately and ensuring all garbage containers have well fitting lids and are always tightly closed.