Pre-imaginal stages of the blowfly <i>Protocalliphora falcozi</i> in nests of the tree sparrow (<i>Passer montanus</i>)

This paper offers the initial description ofthe first instar larva of Protocalliphora falcozi Séguy, 1928 (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and redescription of the second and third instar larvae and puparium, as well as distinction between P. falcozi and its relative P. azurea Fallén (Diptera: Calliphoridae). The material was sampled in the National Nature Reserve Šúr (SW Slovakia) from nests of the tree sparrow (Passer montanus), which has not previously been classified as a host of P. falcozi. Knowledge of diagnostically relevant characterics to determine bird blowfly larvae and puparia will undoubtedly contribute to the current accepted phylogeny and classification of the genus Protocalliphora.