Soldier-fly
Guides
Odontomyia profuscata
Odontomyia profuscata is a species of soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae, described by Steyskal in 1938. The genus Odontomyia belongs to the subfamily Stratiomyinae, a group whose larvae are aquatic. Adults in this genus often exhibit patterned eyes with horizontal banding, a trait associated with detection of horizontally polarized light. This species occurs in North America.
Odontomyia pubescens
Odontomyia pubescens is a species of soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae, described by Day in 1882. The genus Odontomyia is part of the subfamily Stratiomyinae, whose larvae are known to be aquatic. Adults of related species often exhibit patterned eyes that may be adapted for detecting horizontally polarized light, a trait associated with aquatic lifestyles in insects. This species has been recorded from the United States and Canada.
Odontomyia virgo
soldier fly
Odontomyia virgo is a species of soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae. It belongs to the subfamily Stratiomyinae and tribe Stratiomyini. The species was described by Wiedemann in 1830 and is currently accepted as valid. It is one of numerous species in the genus Odontomyia, which is characterized by patterned eyes and aquatic larval biology.
Oxycera picta
Oxycera picta is a species of soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae, first described by Wulp in 1867. It belongs to the genus Oxycera, a group of small to medium-sized flies commonly known as pygmy soldier flies. The species is part of the tribe Oxycerini within the subfamily Stratiomyinae. Very little specific biological information is documented for this species in the available literature.
Pachygaster montana
Pachygaster montana is a species of soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae. It was described by Kraft & Cook in 1961. The species is known from the United States and Mexico. Like other members of the genus Pachygaster, it belongs to the subfamily Pachygastrinae, which comprises small to minute soldier flies often associated with decaying organic matter.
Psellidotus annamariae
soldier fly
Psellidotus annamariae is a species of soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae, first described by Brimley in 1925. It belongs to the subfamily Stratiomyinae and tribe Stratiomyini. The genus Psellidotus is closely related to Odontomyia and Hedriodiscus, with species boundaries becoming less distinct in the Neotropics. Like other stratiomyine soldier flies, adults typically exhibit strikingly patterned eyes with horizontal banding, a trait associated with detection of horizontally polarized light and linked to aquatic larval habitats.
Psellidotus defectus
Psellidotus defectus is a species of soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae, subfamily Stratiomyinae. The genus Psellidotus belongs to the tribe Stratiomyini and is closely related to Hedriodiscus, with which it can be difficult to distinguish in the Neotropics. Like other members of the subfamily Stratiomyinae, the larvae are aquatic. Adults are known to visit flowers, and species in this genus exhibit strikingly patterned eyes with horizontal banding, an adaptation associated with detection of horizontally polarized light that may aid in locating aquatic habitats for oviposition.
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.
Psellidotus novella
Psellidotus novella is a soldier fly species in the family Stratiomyidae, subfamily Stratiomyinae. The genus Psellidotus belongs to the tribe Stratiomyini, a group characterized by aquatic larvae and adults that often exhibit striking eye patterns. Species in this genus are poorly known in the Neotropics, with most known only from original descriptions. The specific epithet "novella" suggests a relatively recent description, though detailed published information on this particular species remains limited.
Ptecticus
soldier flies
Ptecticus is a large genus of soldier flies (Stratiomyidae: Sarginae) comprising at least 150 described species worldwide, with roughly 40 species documented from the Old World alone as of 2000. Adults display variable body coloration—yellow, brown, or black—with abdominal transverse stripes, dusky wings, and often translucent second abdominal segments. A well-developed inner projection on the second antennal segment characterizes most species. The genus exhibits wasp-mimicry in appearance and behavior. Larvae are broad, flat, segmented maggots found in fermenting fruit and rotting vegetal material.
Ptecticus sackenii
Ptecticus sackenii is a species of soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae, subfamily Sarginae. The species is recorded from the United States and Canada, with specific distribution records from Vermont and other U.S. states. As a member of the soldier fly family, it belongs to a group of Diptera characterized by larvae that are often found in decomposing organic matter. Beyond basic taxonomic and distributional information, detailed biological data for this species remains limited in available sources.
Sargus bipunctatus
twin-spot centurion, Twin-Spot Centurion Fly
Sargus bipunctatus, commonly known as the twin-spot centurion, is a European soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae. Adults range from 10–14 mm in body length and display sexual dimorphism in coloration. The species is associated with decaying organic matter, where females oviposit and larvae develop. It has been observed in both open and wooded habitats from July through November.
Sargus cuprarius
clouded centurion, Clouded Centurion Fly
Sargus cuprarius, commonly known as the clouded centurion, is a soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae. It is a medium-sized fly with striking metallic coloration, ranging from 6–12 mm in body length. The species is found across a broad geographic range spanning Western Europe, Russia, Central Asia, and North America. Adults are active from June onward and inhabit open and wooded areas, particularly humid locations.
Sargus elegans
Sargus elegans is a species of soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae, first described by Loew in 1866. It belongs to the subfamily Sarginae, a group of metallic-colored flies often found in moist or wetland habitats. The genus Sargus is distributed primarily in the Nearctic and Palearctic regions, though specific ecological details for S. elegans remain limited in published literature.
Sargus viridis
Green Soldier Fly
Sargus viridis is a soldier fly (family Stratiomyidae) native to North America. It belongs to the subfamily Sarginae, a group characterized by metallic coloration and predatory or saprophagous larvae. Adults are active during warmer months and are often found in wooded or semi-open habitats. The species was described by Thomas Say in 1823.
Stratiomys laticeps
soldier fly
Stratiomys laticeps is a species of soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae. It is one of several North American species in the genus Stratiomys, which are recognized by their wasp-mimicking coloration. The specific epithet "laticeps" refers to the broad head characteristic of this species. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with wetland or aquatic habitats where its larvae develop.
Stratiomys maculosa
spotted soldier fly
Stratiomys maculosa is a species of soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae, commonly known as the spotted soldier fly. It is native to western North America, with documented occurrence from British Columbia through California and inland to Utah, Idaho, and Nevada. The species is associated with riparian habitats and is known to visit flowers.
Stratiomys normula
Stratiomys normula is a species of soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae, first described by Loew in 1866. It is one of several North American species in the genus Stratiomys that exhibit wasp-mimicking coloration. The species has been recorded from Canada and the United States. Like other members of its genus, it is diurnal and associated with wetland habitats where its larvae develop.
Stratiomys obesa
Stratiomys obesa is a species of soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae. It is known from North America, specifically recorded in Canada and the United States. The species was described by Loew in 1866. Like other members of the genus Stratiomys, it belongs to a group of Diptera commonly referred to as soldier flies due to their often wasp-like or bee-like appearance and coloration.