Patterned-eyes
Guides
Hoplitimyia
Hoplitimyia is a genus of soldier flies (family Stratiomyidae) established by James in 1934. The genus comprises approximately ten described species distributed across the Americas, with records from both North and South America. Species within this genus exhibit the characteristic features of the subfamily Stratiomyinae, including patterned eyes and wasp-mimicking coloration. Larvae are aquatic, a trait common to the subfamily.
Hoplitimyia subalba
Hoplitimyia subalba is a species of soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae, first described by Walker in 1854. The genus Hoplitimyia comprises species with aquatic larvae, and adults are known for their wasp-mimicking appearance and patterned compound eyes. This species occurs in South America, with records from the Brazilian states of Amazonas and Pará. Adults are reportedly flighty and difficult to photograph, exhibiting behavior consistent with nectar or pollen feeding when provided sugar solutions in captivity.
Odontomyia aldrichi
Odontomyia aldrichi is a species of soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae, described by Johnson in 1895. The genus Odontomyia belongs to the tribe Stratiomyini within the subfamily Stratiomyinae. Members of this genus are characterized by their aquatic larval biology and adults often exhibit patterned eyes with horizontal banding. The species is part of a genus with primarily Nearctic distribution, though some species extend into the Neotropics.
Odontomyia cincta
Odontomyia cincta is a species of soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae. The species is known from the United States and Canada, with distribution records from Vermont and other locations. As a member of the subfamily Stratiomyinae, its larvae are likely aquatic, a trait characteristic of this subfamily. Adults are recognized by features typical of the genus Odontomyia, including patterned eyes with horizontal banding that may facilitate detection of horizontally polarized light.
Psellidotus
Psellidotus is a genus of soldier flies in the family Stratiomyidae, subfamily Stratiomyinae, and tribe Stratiomyini. The genus was established by Rondani in 1863 and contains approximately 50 described species distributed primarily in the New World, with greatest diversity in the Neotropical region. Adults are characterized by patterned eyes with horizontal banding, a trait associated with detection of horizontally polarized light and linked to the aquatic larval habitat typical of stratiomyine flies. The genus is taxonomically challenging, particularly in South America where species boundaries with the related genus Hedriodiscus become unclear.
Psellidotus hieroglyphicus
soldier fly
Psellidotus hieroglyphicus is a species of soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae. It is one of numerous species in the genus Psellidotus, which belongs to the subfamily Stratiomyinae. The species was described by Olivier in 1811. Like other members of its subfamily, the larvae are aquatic. Adults are characterized by patterned eyes with horizontal banding, a trait shared with many stratiomyine flies and thought to be associated with detection of horizontally polarized light for locating water sources.