Broad Centurion Soldierfly (Chloromyia formosa) |
So, here are a couple of facts on it:
The lovely woodland edges at Silton are filled with lots of wild flowers they have been great for finding bugs |
- They are quite common around all of the United Kingdom including Ireland and all of the surrounding islands.
- They fly mostly throughout May, all of the way to the end of August but can be found a small bit outside of these times.
- They are only 9mm long which is a tiny little thing. I don't think I've encountered a smaller fly yet.
- Their larvae are found in cow dung, rotting grass and all of that sort thing.
- Coming from this they will be found in places like moist forests which is where I found it, there's a lovely little beck that babbles through the bit of the forest I walk in
- Their antennae are short and the first segment of their antennae is longer than the second segment.
- Larvae feed on decaying plant matter which is probably why they live in it.
- So, while the larvae feed on this, the adults feed on nectar like most insects. These ones mostly feed on Hogweed, which the one in the picture is on.
A shot further out, you can see the Hogweed stems better. |
- They are found in Europe, North Africa, the Eastern side of Asia and Southern Arctic.
- The one I photographed is probably a female, they tend to be a more metallic blue green while the males are more bronzy green.
- My photo isn't quite close enough but if you see one try to get a close look at their eyes as they are very hairy.
Here are some links to some more information:
Hope you enjoyed,
Z.
Very pretty flies, the colours are lovely. - Tasha
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