Compsomyiops callipes

Compsomyiops callipes is a member of the order Diptera meaning two wings. Diptera are characterized by having two forewings and halteres. Since it is a member of the family Calliphoridae, it has bristles on the meron, its antennae have plumose arista, and it has two to three notopleural bristles. The subfamily Chrysomyinae is characterized by a setose stem vein on the wings. Compsomyiops callipes is a relatively large fly with a length of about 6–12 mm. Its abdomen and thorax are a metallic blue color. It has a bright yellow gena and four longitudinal lines on its pronotum. The setae on the posterior margin of the hind coxa are long and dark. Its palp, which is an appendage near its mouth used for sensation, movement and feeding, is clavate meaning club-shaped. Its anterior spiracle and calypters are brown. Compsomyiops callipes is very similar in appearance to flies belonging to the genus Cochliomyia but can be distinguished by its palp, calypters, and chaetotaxy, which is the study of the arrangement of setae.

Compsomyiops callipes is attracted to carrion. In accordance with other blow-flies, it can smell carrion from up to 10 miles away. Flowers like the American pawpaw and Dead Horse Arum produce these smells of death to attract the flies thereby spreading their pollen. Nectar from these flowers can be used to generate energy for flight. Compsomyiops callipes were found on rat carrion in a Venezuelan study. Larvae from Compsomyiops callipes are commonly found on dead bodies providing time of death estimations.