Stratiomyidae
Guides
Merosargus beameri
Merosargus beameri is a species of soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae, described by James in 1941. It belongs to the genus Merosargus, a group of soldier flies within the subfamily Sarginae. The species is known from limited records in the United States and Mexico.
Microchrysa
soldierfly
Microchrysa is a genus of soldier flies in the family Stratiomyidae, subfamily Sarginae. The genus was established by Loew in 1855 and contains approximately 40 described species distributed across multiple continents. Historical taxonomic confusion with the synonym Chrysomyia (Macquart, 1834) has led to misidentifications, particularly with blow flies in the genus Chrysomya. The genus is well-represented in citizen science observations with over 7,500 records.
Microchrysa flavicornis
green gem
Microchrysa flavicornis is a small European soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae, commonly known as the green gem. Adults are active during summer months and are associated with woodland edges and hedgerows. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in coloration, with females displaying metallic green on the abdomen and frons. Larvae have been recorded from dung.
Microchrysa polita
black-horned gem, black-horned gem fly
Microchrysa polita, commonly known as the black-horned gem or black-horned gem fly, is a small species of soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae. Adults are active from March through September and are found in deciduous woodland edges, hedgerows, gardens, and parks across Europe, Asia, and North America. The species is notable for its distinctive black antennae and predominantly black legs.
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.
Myxosargus nigricormis
Delicate Soldier
Myxosargus nigricormis is a species of soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae, commonly known as the Delicate Soldier. The species was described by Greene in 1918. It is recorded from the United States, with over 500 observations documented on iNaturalist. As a member of Stratiomyidae, it belongs to a family of flies whose larvae are often associated with decaying organic matter.
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.
Nemotelus bruesii
Brues' soldier fly
Nemotelus bruesii, commonly known as Brues' soldier fly, is a species of soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae. The species was described by Melander in 1903. It belongs to the subfamily Nemotelinae, a group characterized by their slender bodies and often metallic coloration. The species has been documented through numerous observations, suggesting it is relatively well-represented in entomological collections and citizen science records.
Nothomyia calopus
Nothomyia calopus is a species of soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae, first described by Hermann Loew in 1869. It belongs to the tribe Prosopochrysini within the subfamily Stratiomyinae. The species is documented from the Caribbean region and the southern United States, though detailed biological information remains limited.
Odontomyia
soldier flies, brigadier flies
Odontomyia is a genus of soldier flies in the family Stratiomyidae. Species in this genus are characterized by distinctive color patterns, often with orange or yellow markings on dark backgrounds. The genus occurs across temperate and tropical regions of Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Larvae are aquatic, inhabiting ditches and other freshwater habitats. Some species serve as indicators of habitat quality in wetland ecosystems.
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.
Odontomyia hirtocculata
A species of soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae, described by James in 1936. As a member of the subfamily Stratiomyinae, it likely has aquatic larvae like other members of this subfamily. Adults of this genus are often associated with flowers and vegetation near aquatic habitats. The specific epithet 'hirtocculata' suggests a hairy or setose characteristic, though the precise morphological basis is not documented in the provided sources.
Odontomyia hoodiana
Odontomyia hoodiana is a species of soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae, described by Bigot in 1887. The genus Odontomyia belongs to the subfamily Stratiomyinae, a group whose larvae are typically aquatic. As with many soldier flies, adults likely exhibit patterned eyes with horizontal banding, a trait common in this subfamily that has been linked to detection of horizontally polarized light. The species is known from North America (Canada, United States, and Mexico).
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
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.
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
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 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.
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.
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 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 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.