Brachycara slossonae

Members of Brachycara can be distinguished from other Nemotelinae by their reduced wing venation and relatively short antennae. Within the genus, B. slossonae may be separated from congeners by subtle differences in abdominal coloration and male genitalic structure, though specific diagnostic features require examination of type material. The species is smaller than most other Brazilian stratiomyids, with a body length typically under 8 mm.

Associated with freshwater wetlands, margins of streams and rivers, and humid forested areas. Larval development likely occurs in moist soil or decaying organic matter near water, as is typical for Nemotelinae, though this has not been directly documented for this species.

Widespread across Brazil, with confirmed records from Acre, Alagoas, Amapá, Amazonas, Bahia, Ceará, Federal District, Espírito Santo, Goiás, Maranhão, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso do Sul, Mato Grosso, Pará, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Piauí, Paraná, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Norte, Rondônia, Roraima, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, Sergipe, São Paulo, and Tocantins.

Adults are likely pollinators of small flowers in wetland vegetation. Larvae, if following the pattern of related nemotelines, may contribute to decomposition of plant matter in moist substrates.

• Brachycara fulvicollisOverlaps in Brazilian distribution; distinguished by differences in thoracic coloration and scutal pattern
• Nemotelus spp.Similar small size and wetland habitat; Nemotelus has more elongated body form and longer antennae with distinctive arista

• Stratiomyidae
• Nemotelinae
• Brazil
• Neotropical
• wetland
• soldier fly

• BugGuide
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life