These flies mainly inhabit wooded areas, hedge rows, moist forests, wet meadows, parks and gardens.[11]
Description
Chloromyia formosa can reach a length of 7.3–9 millimetres (0.29–0.35in) and a wing length of 6–7 millimetres (0.24–0.28in).[11] Their body is elongated, the thorax is metallic green, the head is hemispherical without hair, while the eyes are quite hairy. Antennae are short, the first antennal segment is longer than the second. The legs are black, only the knees are yellow. The abdomen is flattened and broad.
An evident dimorphism exists between the males and the females of this species. In females the abdomen is blue-green with a purple sheen (depending on the light), while in males it shows a copper-green sheen. The female's eyes are separated from each other. The wings are yellowish-brown.
Male, with copper-green abdomen
Female, with blue-green abdomen
Biology
Adults can mostly be encountered from April through August, feeding on nectar of flowers (mainly of Apiaceae species) and on pollen of Filipendula ulmaria (Rosaceae).[11] Between April and August these insects mate several times. The larvae develop in humus-rich soil, feeding on dead leaves and other decaying vegetal substances.[11] After reaching the final stage larvae overwinter.
Bibliography
Gibson, R. H., Nelson, I. L., Hopkins G. W., Hamlett, B. J., Memmott J. (2006). Pollinator webs, plant communities and the conservation of rare plants: arable weeds as a case study. Journal of Applied Ecology 43: 246—257
Mason, F., Rozkošný, R., Hauser, M. (2009). A review of the soldier flies (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) of Sardinia. Zootaxa 2318: 507–530
Nartshuk, E. P. (2009). The character of soldier fly distribution (Diptera, Stratiomyidae) in Eastern Europe. Entomological review 89(1): 46-55. DOI:10.1134/S0013873809010072
Rozkošný, R. 1998. Chapter 24. Family Stratiomyidae. Manual Palaearct. Dipt. 2: 387-411.
↑ De Geer, C. (1776). Memoires pour servir a l'histoire des insectes. Stockholm: P. Hesselberg. pp.viii + 523 pp., 30 pls.
↑ Fabricius, J.C. (1787). Mantissa insectorum. Vol.2. Hafniae [=Copenhagen]: C. G. Proft. pp.[2] + 382 pp.
↑ Meigen, J.W. (1804). Klassifikazion und Beschreibung der europäische n zweiflugeligen Insekten (Diptera Linn.). Erster Band. Abt. I. Braunschweig [= Brunswick]: Reichard. pp.xxviii + pp. 1–152, Abt. II. vi + pp. 153–314.
↑ Loew, Hermann (1840). "Bemerkungen uber die in der Posener Gegend einheimischen Arten mehrerer Zweiflugler=Gattungen". [Zu der] offentlichen Prufung der Schuler des Koniglichen Friedrich-Wilhelms-Gymnasiums zu Posen. 1840: 40 pp., 1 pl.
↑ Zeegers, T.; Schulten, A. (2022). Families of Flies with Three Pulvilli: Field Guide Northwest Europe. Graveland: Jeugdbondsuitgeverij. pp.256pp. ISBN9789051070682.
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