Chloromyia formosa
The green soldier fly is a Eurasian species with distinctly hairy eyes that has established populations in parts of northeastern North America. South Bristol, New York, USA.
Exaireta spinigera
The garden soldier fly (Exaireta spinigera) is a common insect in eastern Australia that has been introduced to the west coast of North America. Diamond Creek, Victoria, Australia.
Gowdeyana punctifera
The spectacular, but tiny (only 3mm long), Gowdeyana soldier fly. Austin, Texas, USA.
Austin, Texas, USA.
Hedriodiscus
A female bee-mimic soldier fly feeds on Aloysia nectar. Austin, Texas, USA.
A female soldier fly. Brackenridge Field Laboratory, Texas, USA.
Hermetia illucens
The mesmerizing eyes of the common black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens. Austin, Texas, USA.
The black soldier fly, native to warmer parts of the Americas, is now found worldwide and is a common inhabitant of refuse and compost piles. Austin, Texas, USA.
The black soldier fly is a conspicuous, waspy insect found worldwide in association with human compost and waste. Austin, Texas, USA.
Hoplitimyia mutabilis
This soldier fly is a mimic of vespid wasps, in particular the Mexican honey wasp Brachygastra mellifica. Austin, Texas, USA.
This charming small soldier fly is a visual mimic of the Mexican honey wasp, Brachygastra mellifica. Austin, Texas, USA.
Merosargus caeruleifrons
Nemotelus bruesii
A female soldier fly laps up nectar. Brackenridge Field Laboratory, Texas, USA.
Flies are often overlooked for this role, but they are likely the equal to bees as pollinators. Here, a soldier fly carries a load of Ilex pollen. Brackenridge Field Laboratory, Texas, USA.
Nemotelus
Vision is so important to male soldier flies that their head is nearly entirely devoted to two massive compound eyes. Brackenridge Field Laboratory, Texas, USA.
Odontomyia hunteri
The massive, head-spanning eyes of this soldier fly indicate that it's a male. Yarra Ranges National Park, Victoria, Australia.
Psellidotus
Flies are often overlooked for this role, but they are likely the equal to bees as pollinators. Here, a spring soldier fly carries a load of Ilex pollen. Brackenridge Field Laboratory, Texas, USA.
Stratiomys
A male soldier fly takes nectar from a spring Ehretia flower. Brackenridge Field Laboratory, Texas, USA.
Brackenridge Field Laboratory, Texas, USA.
Stratiomyidae
Soldier flies often have unusual patterns of lines, spots, and circles in their compound eyes. Brackenridge Field Laboratory, Texas, USA.
