This is an overview article, listing content appearing in multiple Fallout media. For information specific to a given game or TV series, consult the table on the right. |
A bloatfly is a mutated pest resembling an oversized biting horse or common housefly, often found in Appalachia, the Capital Wasteland, the Commonwealth and the Mojave Wasteland.
Background[]
An example of the mutations caused by the Great War, the bloatfly is an evolution of either the Musca domestica (common housefly)[1] or Tabanus genera of biting horse fly.[2] Tentatively classified as part of the Tabanidae family in the order Diptera, class Insecta, phylum Arthropoda and kingdom Animalia by the Enclave, it is a major divergence from its evolutionary forebears.[2][3]
Biology[]
The standard bloatfly has a green and brown carapace and is significantly larger and more tenacious than its predecessors. Its size inhibits previous flight characteristics and agility, making it impossible to feed like pre-War horse flies did. Instead, it uses its engorged stinger and pupae gestating within its abdomen to incapacitate prey.[2] The stinger is capable of launching mature larvae with a barbed sting at the end. These latch onto the target and deliver a neurotoxin capable of incapacitating larger prey, allowing the bloatfly and its larvae to feed.[2]
Its neurotoxin is ineffective against humans and larger targets, causing only localized necrosis.[2] As a result, the bloatfly serves as prey rather than predator among wastelanders who utilize its meat for food.[2] Bloatflies can resort to scavenging in situations where prey or other sources of sustenance are scarce.[4] It adapted to its enlarged size with a unique gland that enables it to balance and maintain speed despite its size.[5] The gland itself may be toxic to consume.[3][6]
Behavior[]
Bloatflies are a common sight in the wastes, varying in size and exhibiting territorial instincts alongside an absence of self-preservation. They can be found in swarms of two to four and will attack targets relentlessly. Bloatflies may explode upon death.[7]
Variants[]
Bloatflies attack at long range by peppering their prey with spine-bedecked larva launched from its abdomen. They tend to attack in groups, and may pose an additional threat based on their ability to attack from a distance.
Notes[]
Killing bloatflies at higher levels will garner no experience points.
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ Insect DNA chalkboard information
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Enclave field research terminal entries; Enclave field research terminal, Field Entry: "Bloatfly"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 The Sole Survivor: "Sign me up."
Doctor Duff: "You're going to go out, and find a Bloatfly Gland. You see, the oversized Bloatfly of today evolved from an earlier species of smaller fly. Radioactive adaptation has resulted in a unique gland that enables it to balance and maintain speed despite its size. So what do you say? Ready to go out and dissect one?"
(Doctor Duff's dialogue) - ↑ Cassidy Caravans wreckage
- ↑ Sole Survivor: "Sign me up."
Doctor Duff: "You're going to go out, and find a Bloatfly Gland. You see, the oversized Bloatfly of today evolved from an earlier species of smaller fly. Radioactive adaptation has resulted in a unique gland that enables it to balance and maintain speed despite its size. So what do you say? Ready to go out and dissect one?"
(Doctor Duff's dialogue) - ↑ The Sole Survivor: "Get the Bloatfly Gland. Got it."
Doctor Duff: "Remember, bring the gland back in one piece. Oh, and don't chew on it. One of the students got horribly sick because of that mistake."
(Doctor Duff's dialogue) - ↑ Fallout 4 loading screen hints: "One of the Wasteland's most disgusting creatures, the Bloatfly shoots its maggots as projectiles, and often explodes upon death."
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