adults of "lucilia illustris" feed on flowering plants. however, the female also needs a protein source to mature her eggs and become sexually responsive. mating will commonly take place in close range of where the eggs will be deposited. the species' sex ratio is generally equal, but around an egg laying vector, the females can be found in masses. approximately 200 eggs will be laid in a single batch of an adult female, and each individual female can lay up to 10 batches in her three-week life span. eggs will primarily be found on a carcass, but can also occasionally be in open wounds or excrement. temperature is a crucial factor in the development time of the blow fly and this particular species. at 25 degrees celsius, the eggs will take about 24 hours to hatch.