Beris fuscipes

Meigen, 1820

Short-horned Black Legionnaire

Beris fuscipes, commonly known as the short-horned black legionnaire, is a European soldier fly in the Stratiomyidae. The is distinguished by its bright shining green and scutellum, black , and extensively dark dull orange or dusky legs. It inhabits damp woodlands, marshes, and fens, with active from May through September.

EuropäischenZweiflügeligen1790CLXVIII by Johann Wilhelm Meigen 1790. Used under a Public domain license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Beris fuscipes: /ˈbɛrɪs ˈfʌskɪpiːz/

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Identification

Very similar to Beris geniculata. Distinguished by the bright shining green and scutellum without blackish tones, combined with the short having a basally thickened, trapezoidal . The scutellum typically bears six spines (sometimes eight).

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Appearance

dark. short with thickened basally, as wide as and narrowed sharply toward apex, appearing almost trapezoidal. and scutellum bright shining green without blackish tones. black. Legs extensively dark dull orange or dusky. Scutellum bears usually six spines, occasionally eight. Epandrium with developed surstyli.

Habitat

Damp woodland, marshes, and fens.

Distribution

Most of Europe including European Russia. Records indicate presence in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Seasonality

active from May to September.

Similar Taxa

  • Beris geniculataVery similar in overall appearance; B. fuscipes distinguished by bright shining green and scutellum without blackish tones, and short with trapezoidal

More Details

Nomenclature

Described by Meigen in 1820. The 'short-horned black legionnaire' refers to the short and membership in the soldier fly Stratiomyidae.

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Sources and further reading