Stratiomyidae

Definition

A family of true flies (order Diptera) commonly called soldier flies, comprising over 2,700 described species in more than 380 genera. Adults are typically robust, often with metallic green, blue, or black coloration, and many species exhibit wasp-mimicry with yellow and black patterning; they characteristically rest with wings folded one atop the other over the abdomen. Larvae occupy diverse aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats including wetlands, decaying organic matter, animal excrement, and saturated soils, with several species significant in nutrient cycling and waste decomposition.

Etymology

From the type genus Stratiomys (Greek stratos 'army' + mys 'fly') + family suffix -idae

Example

The aquatic larvae of Stratiomys longicornis develop in shallow, oxygen-poor pools, breathing through a posterior respiratory siphon, while adults frequent emergent vegetation near larval sites.

Synonyms

• soldier flies

Related Terms

• Diptera
• Brachycera
• Stratiomys
• Sargus
• Xylomyidae
• aquatic insects
• Metamorphosis
• saprophagy

Usage Notes

Sometimes misspelled 'Stratiomyiidae' in older literature. Distinguished from the related family Xylomyidae (wood soldier flies) by larval habitat preferences and adult wing venation. The common name 'soldier fly' alludes to the uniform, often striped appearance of some species, not to social behavior. Several stratiomyid larvae are mass-reared for animal feed (Hermetia illucens, the black soldier fly) and forensic entomology.