Stratiomyidae

Life-forms

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Cladus: Unikonta
Cladus: Opisthokonta
Cladus: Holozoa
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Cladus: Protostomia
Cladus: Ecdysozoa
Cladus: Panarthropoda
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Classis: Insecta
Cladus: Dicondylia
Subclassis: Pterygota
Cladus: Metapterygota
Infraclassis: Neoptera
Cladus: Eumetabola
Cladus: Endopterygota
Superordo: Panorpida
Cladus: Antliophora
Ordo: Diptera
Subordo: Brachycera
Infraordo: Stratiomyomorpha

Familia: Stratiomyidae
Subfamiliae (12): Antissinae - Beridinae - Chiromyzinae - Chrysochlorininae - Clitellariinae - Hermetiinae - Nemotelinae - Pachygastrinae - Parhadrestiinae - Raphiocerinae - Sarginae - Stratiomyinae

Overview of genera (375 + 3†)
A

Abasanistus – Abavus – Abiomyia – Abrosiomyia – Acanthasargus – Acanthinomyia – Acrochaeta – Acropeltates – Actina – Actinomyia – Acyrocera – Acyrocerops – Adoxomyia – Adraga – Afrodontomyia – Ageiton – Aidomyia – Alliocera – Alliophleps – Allognosta – Alopecuroceras – Amphilecta – Ampsalis – Amsaria – Anacanthella – Analcoceroides – Analcocerus – Anargemus – Anexaireta – Anisoscapus – Ankylacantha – Anoamyia – Anomalacanthimyia – Anopisthocrania – Anoplodonta – Antissa – Antissella – Apotomaspis – Archilagarinus – Archimyza – Archistratiomys – Arcuavena – Argyrobrithes – Artemita – Artemitomima – Arthronemina – Ashantina – Aspartimas – Aspidacantha – Aspidacanthina – Asyncritula – Aulana – Auloceromyia – Australoactina – Australoberis –
B

Barbiellinia – Benhamyia – Beridella – Beridops – Beris – Berisina – Berismyia – Berkshiria – Bistinda – Blastocera – Borboridea – Boreoides – Brachycara – Brachyodina – Brachyphleps – Brachythrix – Brianmyia – Burmabrithes –
C

Cacosis – Caenacantha – Caenocephaloides – Caloparyphus – Campeprosopa – Camptopteromyia – Cardopomyia – Catatasis – Cechorismenus – Cephalochrysa – Chaetohermetia – Chaetosargus – Chalcidomorphina – Charisina – Chelonomima – Chiromyza – Chlamydonotum – Chloromelas – Chloromyia – Chordonota – Chorisops – Chorophthalmyia – Chromatopoda – Chrysochlora – Chrysochlorina – Chrysochromioides – Cibotogaster – Clarissimyia – Clavimyia – Clitellaria – Cosmariomyia – Craspedometopon – Crocutasis – Culcua – Cyanauges – Cyclophleps – Cyclotaspis – Cynipimorpha – Cyphomyia – Cyphoprosopa –
D

Dactylacantha – Dactylodeictes – Dactylothrix – Dactylotinda – Damaromyia – Diademophora – Dialampsis – Diaphorostylus – Diargemus – Diastophthalmus – Dicamptocrana – Dicorymbimyia – Dicranophora – Dicyphoma – Dieuryneura – Dinosargus – Diplephippium – Diplopeltina – Dischizocera – Discopteromyia – Ditylometopa – Dochmiocera – Dolichodema – Dolichothrix – Draymonia – Drosimomyia – Dysbiota –
E

Ecchaetomyia – Eicochalcidina – Eidalimus – Elissoma – Engicerus – Enypnium – Eudmeta – Eufijia – Eumecacis – Eupachygaster – Euparyphus – Euryneura – Evaza – Exaeretina – Exaireta – Exochostoma – Exodontha –
F

Filiptschenkia – Formosargus –
G

Gabaza – Geranopomyia – Glariopsis – Glaris – Glochinomyia – Gnesiomyia – Gnorismomyia – Gobertina – Goetghebueromyia – Gongroneurina – Gongrosargus – Gowdeyana – Grypomyia –
H

Hadrestia – Haplofijia – Hedriodiscus – Heptozus – Hermetia – Hermetiomima – Hermionella – Heteracanthia – Hexacraspis – Himantigera – Himantochaeta – Histiodroma – Homalarthria – Hoplistopsis – Hoplitimyia – Hylorops – Hypoceromys – Hypoxycera – Hypselophrum –
I

Inopus – Isomerocera –
K

Keiseria – Kerteszmyia – Kolomania –
L

Labocerina – Labogastria – Lagenosoma – Lampetiopus – Lasiodeictes – Lasiopa – Lecomyia – Lenomyia – Leucacron – Leucoptilum – Leveromyia – Ligyromyia – Lobisquama – Lonchegaster – Lonchobrithes – Lophoteles – Lyprotemyia – Lysozus –
M

Maackiana – Macromeracis – Madagascara – Madagascarina – Manotes – Mapuchemyia – Marangua – Meringostylus – Meristocera – Meristomeringella – Meristomeringina – Meristomerinx – Merosargus – Mesomyza – Metabasis – Microchrysa – Microhadrestia – Microptecticus – Microsargus – Mischomedia – Monacanthomyia – Mycterocera – Myiocavia – Myxosargus –
N

Nasimyia – Neactina – Neanalcocerus – Nemotelus – Neoacanthina – Neoberis – Neochauna – Neopachygaster – Neoraphiocera – Netrogramma – Nigritomyia – Nonacris – Nothomyia – Notohermetia – Nyassamyia – Nyplatys –
O

Obrapa – Octarthria – Odontomyia – Oplachantha – Oplodontha – Ornopyramis – Otionigera – Otochrysa – Oxycera – Oxycerina – Oxymyia –
P

Pachyacantha – Pachyberis – Pachygaster – Pachyptilum – Panacridops – Panacris – Panamamyia – Pangomyia – Paraberismyia – Paracanthinomyia – Paracechorismenus – Paradraga – Parameristomerinx – Paraptecticus – Parastratiosphecomyia – Parevaza – Parhadrestia – Patagiomyia – Pedinocera – Pedinocerops – Pegadomyia – Pelagomyia – Peltina – Peratomastix – Peritta – Pezodontina – Phanerozus – Physometopon – Pinaleus – Pithomyia – Platopsomyia – Platylobium – Platyna – Platynomorpha – Platynomyia – Popanomyia – Porpocera – Pristaspis – Proegmenomyia – Progrypomyia – Promeranisa – Prosopochrysa – Psapharomydops – Psapharomys – Pselaphomyia – Psellidotus – Psephiocera – Pseudocyclopheps – Pseudocyphomyia – Pseudomeristomerinx – Pseudopegadomyia – Pseudoxymyia – Ptecticus – Ptectisargus – Ptilinoxus – Ptilocera – Pycnomalla – Pycnothorax –
Q

Quichuamyia –
R

Raphanocera – Raphiocera – Rhaphiocerina – Rhaphioceroides – Rhingiopsis – Rondonocera – Rosapha – Rosaphula – Ruba –
S

Sagaricera – Salduba – Saldubella – Sargus – Saruga – Sathroptera – Smaragdinomyia – Spartimas – Sphaerofijia – Stackelbergia – Steleoceromys – Stenimantia – Stenimas – Sternobrithes – Stratiomyella – Stratiomys – Stratiosphecomyia – Strobilaspis – Strophognathus – Stuckenbergiola – Synaptochaeta – Syndipnomyia –
T

Tana – Tegocera – Thopomyia – Thylacognathus – Tinda – Tindacera – Toxopeusomyia – Trichocercocera – Trichochaeta – Trigonocerina – Tytthoberis –
V

Vanoyia – Vitilevumyia – Vittiger –
W

Weimyia –
X

Xylopachygaster –
Z

Zabrachia – Zealandoberis – Zuerchermyia – Zulumyia –
Extinct genera

†Cretaceogaster – †Lysistrata – †Montsecia

[source: Catalogue of Life: 2013 Annual Checklist, except fossil genera, plus (4) Brianmyia – Nasimyia – Parameristomerinx – Vitilevumyia
; minus (1) Musca
]
Name

Stratiomyidae Latreille, 1802

References

Latreille, P.A. 1802. Histoire naturelle, générale et particulière des crustacés et des insectes. Ouvrage faisant suite à l’histoire naturelle générale et particulière, composée par Leclerc de Buffon, et rédigée par C.S. Sonnini, membre de plusieurs sociétés savantes. Familles naturelles des genres. Tome troisième. F. Dufart, Paris, xii + pp. 13–467 + [1 (errata)]. BHL Reference page.
Fachin, D.A. & Hauser, M. 2018. Taxonomic revision of the Neotropical genus Himantigera James, 1982 (Diptera: Stratiomyidae: Sarginae), including the description of two new species and a key to the known species. Zootaxa 4531(4): 451–498. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4531.4.1 Paywall Reference page.
Fachin, D.A. & Lamas, C.J.E. 2015: A catalogue of the types of Stratiomyidae (Diptera: Brachycera) in the collection of the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil. Zootaxa 3918(3): 406–414. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3918.3.4. Reference page.
Mason, F. 2013: Updated Italian checklist of soldier flies (Diptera, Stratiomyidae). ZooKeys 336: 61–78. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.336.6016 Reference page.
Mason, F.; Rozkošný, R.; Hauser, M. 2009: A review of the soldier flies (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) of Sardinia. Pp. 507-530 in: Cerretti, P.; Mason, F.; Minelli, A.; Nardi, G.; Whitmore, D. (eds), Research on the terrestrial arthropods of Sardinia (Italy). Zootaxa, 2318: 1–602. Abstract & excerpt PDF
Nerudová, J., Kovac, D. & Tóthová, A. 2015: Description of larva and puparium of Oplodontha rubrithorax (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) from the Oriental Region. Zootaxa 3955(1): 123–131. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3955.1.7. Preview (PDF) Reference page.
Rozkošný, R., Hauser, M. & Gelhaus, J.K. 2016. Caloparyphus palaearcticus sp. n. (Diptera, Stratiomyidae), the first record for the soldier fly genus in the Palaearctic. ZooKeys 594: 111-122. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.594.7750. Reference page.
Yang, Z-H., Chen, X-M. & Yang, M-F. 2015: Two new species and two new records of Ptecticus Loew (Diptera: Stratiomyidae: Sargiinae) from China. Zootaxa 3964(4): 433–444. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3964.4.3. Preview (PDF) Reference page.

Additional references

Curran, C.H. 1928: New Stratiomyidae and Diopsidae from the Belgian Congo (Diptera). American Museum novitates, 324. 5 pp. hdl: 2246/3108 Open access. Reference page.
Fachin, D.A. & Assis-Pujol, C.V. de 2016. FAMILY STRATIOMYIDAE. In Wolff, M.I., Nihei, S.S. & Carvalho, C.J.B. de (eds.), Catalogue of Diptera of Colombia. Zootaxa 4122(1): 312–341. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4122.1.26. Reference page.
Fachin, D.A., Couri, M.S. & Mello-Patiu, C.A. 2016. An illustrated catalogue of the types of Stratiomyidae (Diptera: Brachycera) in the collection of Museu Nacional, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Zootaxa 4084(3): 361–376. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4084.3.3.Reference page.
Hauser, M., Woodley, N.E. & Fachin, D.A. 2017. Taxonomic changes in African Stratiomyidae (Diptera). Zootaxa 4263(1): 72–96. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4263.1.3 Reference page.
Pujol-Luz, J.R., Lopes, W.R. & Viana, G.G. 2016. Description of the puparium and redescription of the imagoes of Chorophthalmyia brevicornis Lindner (Diptera: Stratiomyidae). Zootaxa 4121(5): 583–588. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4121.5.8. Reference page.
Rozkošný, R. & Vaňhara, J. 2017. A revision of the species of Evaza Walker described by J.C.H. de Meijere (Diptera, Stratiomyidae, Pachygastrinae). Zootaxa 4231(2): 219–237. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4231.2.5. Reference page.
Yimlahi, D., Üstüner, T., Zinebi, S. & Belqat, B. 2017. New records of the soldier flies of Morocco with a bibliographical inventory of the North African fauna (Diptera, Stratiomyidae). ZooKeys 709: 87—125. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.709.13364. Reference page.

Links

Stratiomyidae – Taxon details on Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS).

Vernacular names
беларуская: Ільвінкі
Deutsch: Waffenfliegen
English: Soldier flies
eesti: Ogakärblased
suomi: Asekärpäset
magyar: Katonalegyek
日本語: ミズアブ科
ქართული: ლომუკასებრნი
norsk: Våpenfluer
polski: Lwinkowate
русский: Львинки
svenska: Vapenflugor

The soldier flies (Stratiomyidae, sometimes misspelled as Stratiomyiidae, from Greek στρατιώτης - soldier; μυια - fly) are a family of flies (historically placed in the now-obsolete group Orthorrhapha). The family contains over 2,700 species in over 380 extant genera worldwide.[1][2] Adults are found near larval habitats, which 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. The Stratiomyinae are a different subgroup that tends to have an affinity to aquatic environments.[3] 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.

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).
Characteristics

These flies are very small to large (3–20 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.[4]

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.

Stratiomyomorpha

	Stratiomyidae

	Xylomyidae

Pantophthalmidae

 
 
References

"Stratiomyidae".
Woodley, N. E., 2001. A World Catalog of the Stratiomyidae (Insecta: Diptera). Myia 11: 1-473. Backhuys Publishers, Leiden
Woodley, Norman (2009). "Family Stratiomyidae". Pensoft Publishers. Retrieved 1 March 2016.

For a pictorial atlas explaining these terms, go to http://www.ento.csiro.au/biology/fly/fly.html