Species identification of calliphorid (Diptera) eggs

Eggs of 11 forensically important calliphorid species belonging to six genera were studied with SEM for useful diagnostic characters. Identification was confounded by the following three factors: (1) variability within and among populations of the same species, (2) similarities among some congeneric species, and (3) similarities between some species of different genera. Reliable separation based on morphology should take into account relevant aspects of blow fly biology as it is affected by locality, climate, season, and weather.