| Chloromyia formosa | |
|---|---|
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| Chloromyia formosa. Male | |
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| Female | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Family: | Stratiomyidae |
| Subfamily: | Sarginae |
| Genus: | Chloromyia |
| Species: | C. formosa |
| Binomial name | |
| Chloromyia formosa | |
| Synonyms | |
Chloromyia formosa is a species of soldier flies belonging to the family Stratiomyidae. Another name for it is Broad centurion. [7] [8] [9]
This species is present in most of Europe (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom), in the Near East, in the Nearctic realm, and in North Africa. [10]
These flies mainly inhabit wooded areas, hedge rows, moist forests, wet meadows, parks and gardens. [11]
Chloromyia formosa can reach a length of 7.3–9 millimetres (0.29–0.35 in) and a wing length of 6–7 millimetres (0.24–0.28 in). [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.
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.
The soldier flies are a family of flies. The family contains over 2,700 species in over 380 extant genera worldwide. Larvae are found in a wide array of locations, mostly in wetlands, damp places in soil, sod, under bark, in animal excrement, and in decaying organic matter. Adults are found near larval habitats. They are diverse in size and shape, though they commonly are partly or wholly metallic green, or somewhat wasplike mimics, marked with black and yellow or green and sometimes metallic. They are often rather inactive flies which typically rest with their wings placed one above the other over the abdomen.
Atherix ibis, the yellow-legged water-snipefly, is a species of ibis flies belonging to the family Athericidae, a small family very similar to Rhagionidae.
Actina chalybea is a species of 'soldier flies' belonging to the family Stratiomyidae subfamily Beridinae.
Clitellaria ephippium is a species of soldier fly belonging to the family Stratiomyidae.
Oplodontha viridula, the common green colonel, is a European species of soldier fly.
Sargus flavipes, the yellow-legged centurion, is a European species of soldier fly.
Sargus bipunctatus, the twin-spot centurion, is a European species of soldier fly.
Microchrysa polita, the black-horned gem, is a species of soldier fly found in Europe, Asia, and North America.
Microchrysa flavicornis, the green gem, is a European species of soldier fly.
Microchrysa cyaneiventris, the black gem, is a European species of soldier fly.
Chloromyia is a genus of flies in the family Stratiomyidae.
Pachygaster leachii, the yellow-legged black, is a European species of soldier fly.
Oxycera analis, the dark-winged soldier, is a species of soldier fly.
Oxycera morrisii, the white-barred soldier, is a European species of soldier fly.
Beris vallata, the orange legionnaire or common orange legionnaire, is a European species of soldier fly.
Beris chalybata, the murky-legged black legionnaire, is a European species of soldier fly.
Beris geniculata, the long-horned black legionnaire, is a European species of soldier fly.
Beris is a genus of flies in the family Stratiomyidae. They are also referred to as the false soldier fly. As described by Latreille in 1802, these are small to medium sized flies with metallic colors.
Stratiomyinae is a subfamily of flies in the family Stratiomyidae.
Neoitamus cyanurus, the common awl robberfly, is a species of 'robber fly' belonging to the family Asilidae.
