As is the case with other insects, green bottle flies have articulated bodies and an exoskeleton of chitin. The head contains a pair of antennae, which is used to explore the surrounding environment; two big compound eyes, which give them a wide angle of vision and the ability to spot fast movements; and a mouth adapted to suck.
The thorax is divided into three segments: the foremost prothorax; the mesothorax, where a pair of wings are attached; and the posterior metathorax. Green bottle flies have three pairs of legs (one for each segment of the thorax) and black hairs. Their thorax are big, compared to other fly species, and show green to blue and yellow metallic colors.
The abdomen contains important organs part of the digestive, respiratory and reproductive systems. Females have ovipositors, or egg-laying organs, in the posterior segments of their abdomens. They can lay more than 200 eggs at time. Like the thorax, the abdomens of green bottle flies are large and show distinct metallic coloration when compared to other fly species.
Although most types of green bottle flies have similar features, some species show distinct habits and characteristics. L. bufonivora prefers to lays its eggs in the nostrils of toads, causing inflammation. L. sericata and L. cuprina lay eggs on sheep skin, but also in rotten fruit. L. illustris has a very dark-blue body, which look almost black, while L. pilosiventris can also show a brownish metallic color.