Stratiomyidae

Soldier fly

The soldier flies ( Stratiomyidae ) are a family of two-winged flies (Diptera ) and the flies ( Brachycera ) assigned. Worldwide there are about 2000 species of this group known to them in Central Europe about 100 and 65 in Germany

Features

The name " soldier flies " is derived from the color of the larger species of this group to remember the old uniforms apparently. Most species are medium in size, with some species are also significantly larger. The size ranges from about three millimeters to 20 millimeters. Many species are striking black and yellow drawn, other colored metallic. The abdomen is usually flattened and very broad and extends over the folded at rest on the abdomen wings out to the side. Many species also have at the end of the chest area ( thoracic ) two or more spines.

Way of life

Soldier flies are mainly found in forested areas, usually on different flowers. Some species whose larvae develop in the water, is mainly found near watercourses.

The animals feed on pollen and nectar, sometimes of organic substances from the dung of larger animals.

The females lay their eggs often individually on the ground or on rotten plants from other species they place on the surface of bodies of water. Some species with developing larvae in the water also place multilayered egg packages depend on aquatic plants, such as the Stratiomys species.

Larval development

The larvae of the soldier flies differ in shape and way of life in some cases very. Many species such as the Stratiomys species live in the water, Oxycera larvae even in salt water. These larvae are generally spindle-shaped and the rear end is extended to a respiratory tube. At the end of this tube are the two open spiracles, the stigmata, in the midst of a hook ring. In the rest of this ring of hooks located at the surface film of the water and the larvae attached to it, which makes them mostly meandering movements. If a fault occurs, the hook wreath lays together, the larva decreases. The larvae feed it from the nursery to rocks or water plants.

Some species develop in so-called phytotelmata so small accumulations of water in tree stumps or similar structures, as well as on the submerged rocks or sources. These types have a markedly shorter breathing tube. Also in soil, sludge or under bark some species, the representatives of the genus Sargus also in extension. In the terrestrial larvae all spiracles are open at the body, which are particularly large in the prothorax. A breathing tube is only hinted at.

The larvae of Clitellaria ephippium live as ants guests in the buildings of ants ( Formicidae ). Lasiopa villosa lives as leaf miners in the mullein and the larvae of the genus Pachygaster in the food aisles of bark beetles ( Scolycidae ), the way of life of this species is almost completely unknown.

The hibernation almost always takes place as a larva. Pupation occurs in the last larval skin, which hardens. In Stratiomys species this can take place horizontally on the water surface or in the bank vegetation. The slip of the adults is done by a T-shaped slit at the front end of the doll.

Fossil evidence

Fossil soldier flies are known almost exclusively of inclusions in amber. The oldest evidence comes from Cretaceous Canadian amber. The similarity between these Lower Cretaceous genus Cretaceogaster and their next rezentem relatives, occurring in South America genus Parhadrestia is so great that both genera were placed in the designated newly erected subfamily Parhadrestinae. The vast majority of members of this family, however, were found in Eocene Baltic amber. Also from other tertiary amber deposits ( from Mexico and the Dominican Republic) are occupied soldier flies.

Types (selection)

System

According 'S 12 subfamilies can be distinguished:

  • Anti Sinae Kertesz, 1908
  • Beridinae Westwood, 1838
  • Chiromyzinae Brauer, 1880
  • Chrysochlorininae Woodley, 2001
  • Clitellariinae Brauer, 1882
  • Nemotelinae Kertesz, 1912
  • Parhadrestiinae Woodley, 1986
  • Raphiocerinae Schiner, 1868
  • Sarginae Walker, 1834
  • Stratiomyinae Latreille, 1802
ITIS
751305
de