Soldier-flies
Guides
Adoxomyia
soldier flies
Adoxomyia is a genus of soldier flies (Stratiomyidae) comprising at least 30 described species. The genus has a broad geographic distribution, with species documented across the Palaearctic, Nearctic, Oriental, and Neotropical regions. Larvae develop in decaying vegetable substrates, particularly rotting roots and stems of plants in desert and arid environments. Adults are often associated with flowers.
Allognosta
Allognosta is a genus of soldier flies (family Stratiomyidae) established by Osten Sacken in 1883. Larval stages have been documented in the Palaearctic region, where they inhabit humus soil layers and fruit bodies of polyporus fungi. The genus belongs to the subfamily Beridinae.
Antissinae
Antissinae is a subfamily of soldier flies (Stratiomyidae) established by Kertész in 1908. The subfamily contains at least eight described genera, including Antissa, the type genus, and the more recently described Opaluma. Members of this subfamily are part of the diverse soldier fly radiation, though specific biological details remain poorly documented for many included taxa.
Beridinae
soldier flies
Beridinae is a subfamily of soldier flies (Stratiomyidae) comprising approximately 15 genera. Species in this subfamily have been documented across temperate regions including Canada, Alaska, and Iran, with records indicating presence in forested habitats. The subfamily is taxonomically well-defined with available identification keys for adults and larvae.
Berkshiria
Berkshiria is a genus of soldier flies in the family Stratiomyidae, established by Johnson in 1914. The genus contains two described species: B. albistylum (North America) and B. hungarica (Europe). It belongs to the subfamily Pachygastrinae, a group of small to medium-sized stratiomyid flies often associated with decaying organic matter.
Brachycara
Brachycara is a genus of soldier flies (family Stratiomyidae) established by Thomson in 1869. The genus contains eight described species distributed across multiple continents. Brachycara species are classified within the subfamily Nemotelinae. Observations of this genus remain relatively uncommon, with approximately 75 documented records on iNaturalist.
Caloparyphus
Caloparyphus is a genus of soldier flies (family Stratiomyidae) comprising approximately 12 described species. Species within this genus are associated with madicolous habitats—thin water films on rock surfaces—in eastern North America. The genus was established by James in 1939 and belongs to the tribe Oxycerini. Larval and adult stages have been described for at least some species.
Cephalochrysa
soldier flies
Cephalochrysa is a genus of soldier flies (family Stratiomyidae) containing over 20 described species distributed across multiple continents. The genus was established by Kertész in 1912 and belongs to the subfamily Sarginae. Species within this genus exhibit considerable geographic range, with records from Africa, Australia, North America, and other regions.
Chiromyzinae
Chiromyzinae is a subfamily of soldier flies (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) comprising approximately 14 genera and at least 50 described species. The subfamily exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism in some genera, with winged males and apterous (wingless) females. At least one species, Metridius robertsoni, has been documented as a pest of sugarcane in Australia.
Clitellariinae
soldier flies
Clitellariinae is a subfamily of soldier flies (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) comprising approximately 35 genera. The group has been documented in North America, including Canada and Alaska, where it is represented by multiple genera and species. Taxonomic keys for adults and larvae have been developed for regional faunas. The subfamily is distinguished from related subfamilies Beridinae and Sarginae by morphological features accessible through diagnostic keys.
Cosmariomyia
Cosmariomyia is a genus of soldier flies in the family Stratiomyidae, subfamily Pachygastrinae. The genus was established by Kertész in 1914 and contains three described species distributed in the Neotropical region. Members are small to medium-sized flies with relatively limited published information on their biology.
Dicyphoma
Dicyphoma is a small genus of soldier flies (family Stratiomyidae) containing two described species. The genus was established by James in 1937 and is classified in the subfamily Clitellariinae. Species within this genus have been documented in western North America, with records from California and surrounding regions. As with other Stratiomyidae, adults are likely diurnal and associated with flowers or moist habitats.
Dieuryneura
Dieuryneura is a genus of soldier flies (family Stratiomyidae) established by James in 1937. The genus contains at least one described species, Dieuryneura stigma, originally described by Giglio-Tos in 1891. It belongs to the subfamily Clitellariinae, a group characterized by distinctive larval habitats and adult morphologies. The genus remains poorly documented in scientific literature.
Eidalimus
Eidalimus is a genus of soldier flies (family Stratiomyidae) in the subfamily Pachygastrinae. The genus was established by Kertész in 1914 and contains eight described species distributed in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. Species of this genus are small to medium-sized flies with relatively few detailed studies on their biology.
Euparyphus
Euparyphus is a genus of soldier flies (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) in the tribe Oxycerini. Species in this genus are associated with madicolous habitats—thin water films on rock surfaces—in eastern North America. The genus contains approximately 30 described species distributed across the Americas, with adults and immature stages described for several North American species.
Hermetia
soldier flies
Hermetia is a genus of soldier flies in the family Stratiomyidae. The genus contains approximately 30 species distributed primarily in the Neotropical and Nearctic regions. The most extensively studied species is Hermetia illucens, commonly known as the black soldier fly, which has gained prominence for its applications in waste management and sustainable protein production. Adults are characterized by their wasp-mimicking appearance, with metallic coloration and distinctive wing patterns. Larvae develop in decomposing organic matter including manure, compost, and food waste.
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.
Myxosargus
soldier flies
Myxosargus is a genus of soldier flies in the family Stratiomyidae, containing approximately 13-15 described species distributed primarily in the Americas. The genus was established by Brauer in 1882 and includes species ranging from the southwestern United States through Central America to South America. Most species were described in the early-to-mid 20th century, with several added by Maurice James in 1979.
Nemotelinae
Nemotelinae is a subfamily of soldier flies (family Stratiomyidae) comprising four recognized genera: Brachycara, Lasiopa, Nemotelus, and Pselaphomyia. These flies are characterized by their distinctive wing venation and are primarily found in temperate regions. The genus Nemotelus is the most species-rich and well-known within the subfamily. Members are generally small to medium-sized flies often associated with wetland and grassland habitats.
Nemotelus
soldier flies
Nemotelus is a genus of small soldier flies (family Stratiomyidae) containing approximately 30 described species distributed across the Nearctic, Afrotropical, and Palaearctic regions. Adults range from 4.0 to 8.0 mm in body length and are among the smallest members of the family. The genus is characterized by distinctive facial morphology with a pointed snout bearing antennae on the dorsal side, and pronounced sexual dimorphism in coloration. Most species display black bodies with variable white markings, with males typically showing more extensive pale patterning than females.
Oxycera
soldier flies
Oxycera is a genus of soldier flies (family Stratiomyidae) comprising approximately 80 described species distributed across the Palearctic, Afrotropical, and Oriental regions. Species within this genus are associated with wetland habitats, where larvae develop in shallow water or moist substrates. Several species have shown recent range expansions, potentially linked to climate change. The genus is taxonomically well-established within the tribe Oxycerini and serves as a subject of ongoing distributional and ecological research.
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.
Sarginae
soldier flies
Sarginae is a subfamily of soldier flies (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) established by Walker in 1834. The subfamily is cosmopolitan in distribution, occurring from the Nearctic region through Canada and Alaska to the Neotropics, with substantial diversity in genera such as Acrochaeta, Himantigera, Merosargus, and Sargus. Immature stages are known for relatively few species—29 species as of 2022, with only eight from the Neotropical region.
Stratiomyinae
Stratiomyinae is a subfamily of soldier flies (family Stratiomyidae) containing approximately 40 genera arranged in three tribes: Oxycerini, Prosopochrysini, and Stratiomyini. Members are distinguished by larvae that are aquatic or semi-aquatic, a trait that separates them from many other stratiomyid subfamilies. Adults often exhibit striking eye patterns with horizontal banding, which has been linked to polarization vision potentially used for locating water surfaces for mating and oviposition. The subfamily has a cosmopolitan distribution with significant diversity in both Nearctic and Neotropical regions.
Stratiomyini
soldier flies
Stratiomyini is a tribe of soldier flies (family Stratiomyidae) characterized by adults with strikingly patterned eyes that often display horizontal banding. Members of this tribe are frequently wasp- or bee-mimics in appearance. The tribe includes genera such as Odontomyia, Psellidotus, and Hedriodiscus. Larvae of the subfamily Stratiomyinae, which includes Stratiomyini, are aquatic.
Xylomya
wood soldier flies
Xylomya is a genus of soldier flies in the family Xylomyidae, commonly referred to as "wood soldier flies." The genus was established by Camillo Rondani in 1861. These flies are associated with forested environments and decaying wood habitats. Species in this genus are part of a small family of Diptera that is relatively poorly known compared to other soldier fly families.
Zabrachia
Zabrachia is a genus of soldier flies (Stratiomyidae) established by Coquillett in 1901. Adults are distinguished from other Pachygastrinae by the fused R4 and R5 wing veins. The genus includes approximately 20 described species distributed across North America, Europe, and Madagascar. Larvae develop under the bark of coniferous trees, while females have been observed ovipositing into pine wood.