due to the predictable nature of development, "lucilia illustris" is often used by forensic entomologists to determine time and place of death. medically, "l. illustris" is often used for maggot debridement therapy because it only causes myiasis in necrotic tissue. "lucilia illustris" was first described by the german entomologist johann wilhelm meigen in 1826. its specific epithet is derived from the latin illustris 'brilliant'.