Soldier Flies
family of suborder “Brachyceran Flies“
1 family, 2 species
Soldier flies, also known as Stratiomidi or Waffenfliegen, are a group of flies characterized by their size, with lengths ranging from 3 to 20 mm. They have distinct characteristics such as three-segmented antennae, absence of lower orbital bristles, and short, non-piercing proboscis. The larvae of soldier flies can be either aquatic or terrestrial and exhibit various feeding behaviors including scavenging, predation, and herbivory. The pupa develops within the exuvia of the last larval stage, and adults of soldier flies primarily visit flowers for nectar or do not feed at all. Soldier flies are closely related to Xylomyidae and Pantophthalmidae, forming a monophyletic clade.
Hierarchy
species of family “Soldier Flies“
1 species
Etymology#
In English, the Stratiomidi are commonly called soldier flies, in German Waffenfliegen (“armed flies”). In the Italian language, Duméril (1832) used the common names term stratiomidi and mosche armate in the Dizionario delle Scienze Naturali (Dictionary of Natural Sciences). The name might originate from thoracic spines of adults that resemble armor or striped larvae that resemble uniformed soldiers.
Characteristics#
These flies range from very small to large, 3 to 20 mm long. They have antennae in three segments, with the terminal segment annulated. Ocelli are present; the lower orbital bristles are absent. The postvertical orbital bristles are absent, as are the vibrissae. As for the mouthparts, the proboscis is short and not piercing; the maxillary palps are mono- or bisegmented. The wings have either a small discal cell, or the discal cell is absent. No subapical cell is seen, and a closed anal cell is present. The costa does not extend around the entire wing. The subcosta reaches the costa independently of vein 1, or joins vein 1 close to where it joins the costa. The leading-edge veins are often markedly stronger than the rest; vein 6 is present and reaches the wing margin, whereas vein 7 is present and does not reach the wing margin. The tibiae are without spurs.
Larvae and pupae#
Larvae may be either aquatic or terrestrial. In regards to feeding, they may be saprophagous, mycophagous, or predatory. The larvae are apodous and eucephalic and cylindrical-fusiform, depressed dorsoventrally and distinctly segmented. The size of the mature larva is variable, depending on the species, from less than 1 cm in length up to 5 cm. The head is much narrower than the thorax and partially sunken into it. The integument is strongly sclerotized with the cuticle containing inclusions of calcium carbonate with hexagonal crystals which form a characteristic microsculpture. In aquatic species, the last urite is thin and more or less elongated forming a breathing tube, which ends with a tuft of waterproofing bristles. It is used to draw air from the surface, with the larva remaining submerged.
The pupa develops inside the exuvia of the last larval stage, a feature common to all Stratiomyomorpha. The pupation within the larval exuvia constitutes a case of evolutionary convergence with Cyclorrhapha , in which group is the formation of a true puparium .
Biology#
The larvae of Stratiomyidae are characterized by a wide variety of behaviours and habitats. They are mainly scavengers, but aquatic species also feed on algae. Less frequently, they may be predators or herbivores. The aquatic larvae are sometimes characterized by particularly specific habitat requirements. For example, several species colonize rocks covered by a thin layer of water (hygropetric); others are found in brackish water, and some in thermal springs. In general, though, Stratiomyidae larvae colonize stagnant waters or rivers near the shores, seeking the richest vegetation, algae, and debris. Terrestrial larvae are found in organic substrates: in decomposing vegetable matter and animal excreta, in moist soils and litter, under the bark of trees, etc. Inopus rubriceps (Macquart), the sugarcane soldier fly, is a pest: the larvae attack the roots of sugarcane in Australia. Adults visit flowers to feed on the sugar-containing nectar, or else do not feed at all, dedicating their short lives to reproduction. Unlike other dipterous scavengers, adults of Stratiomyidae do not have relationships with the growth substrate of the larvae, except for oviposition. Larval development takes place with a variable number of moults; depending on the species, up to 10 larval stages occur. Particularly well known is the postembryonic development of Hermetia illucens, whose larvae develop through six stages. Species of this fly may travel along with members of Polybioides raphigastra (a wasp species) through the practice of mimicry.
Systematics#
The Stratiomyidae are closely related to the family of Xylomyidae, with which they share 10 synapomorphies, and they form a monophyletic clade with the family of Pantophthalmidae with which they share 5 synapomorphies.
Further reading#
Literature for world faunaWoodley, N. E., 2001. A World Catalog of the Stratiomyidae (Insecta: Diptera). Myia 11: 1-473. Backhuys Publishers, LeidenLiterature for Palaearctic faunaLindner, E., 1938, Vol 18. Stratiomyiidae. In: Lindner, E. (ed.): Die Fliegen der Paläarktischen Region. Stuttgart, 4(1):1-218. Dusek J. and Rozkosny R. 1963-1967 Revision mitteleuropäischer Arten der Familie Stratiomyidae (Diptera) mit besonderer Berücksichtigung der Fauna der CSSR. 60 (1963) : 201-221; 61 (1964) :360-373; 62 (1965): 24-60; 64 (1967): 140-165. Acta entomologica bohemoslovaca 71: 322-341 + 1 Tafel.; Prag. Keys to subfamilies, genera and species. In German. Nartshuk, E. P., 1988, 36. Family Stratiomyidae. Part I Diptera and Siphanoptera (In: Bei-Benko, G. Ya.,) Mycetobiidae-Therevidae. Keys to The Insect of European Part of The USSR. Russia, Vol. 5(2): 700-738. Rozkošný, R., 1973, Stratiomyidae of Denmark and Fennoscandia. Lyneborg L. (ed.). Denmark, pp:1-139. Rozkošný, R., 1982, A Biosystematic Study of The European Stratiomyidae (Diptera). Vol.1. Introduction, Beridinae, Sarginae and Stratiomyinae. Series Entomologica, 21. Dr.W. Junk, The Hague, pp. 1–401. Rozkošný, R., 1983, A Biosystematic Study of The European Stratiomyidae (Diptera). Vol.2. Clitellariinae, Hermetiinae, Pachygasterinae and Bibliography. Series Entomologica, 25. Dr.W. Junk, The Hague, pp. 1–431. Rozkošný, R., Nartshuk, E. P., 1988, Family Stratiomyidae. In: Soós, Á. & Papp, L. (eds.): Catalogue of Palearctic Diptera. Amsterdam & Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest, pp 42–96.Literature for Afrotropical faunaHauser, M., Woodley, N.E. and Fachin, D.A. (2017). “Chapter 41. Stratiomyidae (Soldier Flies)”. In Kirk-Spriggs, A.H. & Sinclair, B.J. (ed.). Manual of Afrotropical Diptera. Pretoria, South Africa. ISBN 978-1-928224-11-2.
External links#
Tree of Life: Stratiomyidae Picture gallery from Diptera.info 195 photographs Picture gallery from BugGuide Family Stratiomyidae at EOL Images. Flowers visited by adults. Pest Information Wiki
Soldier flies, also known as Stratiomidi or Waffenfliegen, are a group of flies characterized by their size, with lengths ranging from 3 to 20 mm. They have distinct characteristics such as three-segmented antennae, absence of lower orbital bristles, and short, non-piercing proboscis. The larvae of soldier flies can be either aquatic or terrestrial and exhibit various feeding behaviors including scavenging, predation, and herbivory. The pupa develops within the exuvia of the last larval stage, and adults of soldier flies primarily visit flowers for nectar or do not feed at all. Soldier flies are closely related to Xylomyidae and Pantophthalmidae, forming a monophyletic clade.
Ancestry Graph
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