Ecological-energetics
Guides
Hedriodiscus truquii
Hedriodiscus truquii is a soldier fly (family Stratiomyidae) whose larval ecology has been studied in thermal spring habitats. The species was described by Bellardi in 1859 and occurs in North and Central America. A detailed 4-year ecological study documented its role as a dominant herbivore in two thermal spring communities in Washington State, where larvae feed on algae and serve as a significant energy conduit in these extreme ecosystems. Larvae are aquatic and subject to heavy predation pressure, particularly from spiders on newly emerged adults.