Sargus bipunctatus female

Sargus bipunctatus female showing red & blue abdomen

Sargus bipunctatus female showing small discal cell on wings

Soldierflies are much less well known than hoverflies but some species are highly colourful.

Sargus bipunctatus ♀ today in Bengeo garden, large attractive woodland species & last soldierfly to appear during year. @uk-soldierflies.bsky.social @flygirlnhm.bsky.social #Stratiomyidae

A metallic green fly with giant bright red eyes taking up most of its head rests on a leaf.

A metallic green fly with giant bright red eyes taking up most of its head rests on a leaf.

What a pretty boy! 🥰

male soldier fly, #Stratiomyidae #Microchrysa flaviventris
Avery Co., NC

It was nice to find Four-barred Major - Oxycera rara, in NE Shropshire on Sunday. The female is rather snazzier than the male I think! #Soldierfly #Stratiomyidae

Female Chloromyia formosa side-on.

Female Chloromyia formosa from above.

Little bit of soldierfly action in the garden. Female Chloromyia formosa. Probably the most common, and definitely not the best looking, but a soldierfly nonetheless. #gardensafari #diptera #stratiomyidae

Female Chloromyia formosa fly seen at Ringstead Bay, #Dorset 26/05/25 @dipteristsforum.bsky.social @uk-soldierflies.bsky.social #Stratiomyidae

A macrophotograph capturing a soldier fly (likely Hoplitimyia constans), displaying its vivid mimicry of a wasp. The insect's elongated body showcases bold yellow and black banding, imitating a wasp's appearance convincingly. Its large compound eyes are iridescent, reflecting shades of green, purple, and blue. Short, distinctively shaped antennae protrude clearly from its head. Delicate legs grip tightly onto clusters of tiny white flowers, where the insect appears to feed or rest. The intricate texture and fine hairs covering its thorax and abdomen are distinctly visible. The photograph has a soft, blurred green and white background, drawing full attention to the crisp details and vibrant colors of the fly.

🪲🪳 Since we're posting flies today, here's my contribution, a Hoplitimyia sp., one of those neat wasp mimic soldier flies. Perfect fit for #diptera and #flyday, or whatever we're calling it today!

#Stratiomyidae #Invert

🌿

Male Broad Centurion Soldier Fly, Chloromyia formosa and a 7-spot Ladybird Coccinella septempuntctata interacting on a Hogweed Flower

Ever seen a Soldier Fly licking a Ladybird?! 👀 Me neither, until yesterday! A male Broad Centurion interacting, possibly not by intention or mutual consent, with a 7-spot Ladybird! 🤣 #Entomology #Soldierflies #Stratiomyidae #Beetles #Coccinellidae

A male Broad Centurion soldierfly sits, wings splayed, on a mix of grass leaves and dead stems.

The garden wildflower meadow is coming on a treat, with the latest arrivals being a bunch of lekking Broad Centurions: representatives of one of my favourite fly families #Stratiomyidae

A metallic green soldier fly, likely Actina viridis, stands alert at the edge of a green leaf. Its body is iridescent with vivid green and gold reflections, and its wings are clear with dark veins. The fly’s eyes are large and reddish, with finely detailed antennae and fuzzy hairs visible on its legs and head. The background is a deep black, contrasting starkly with the leaf’s texture and color, emphasizing the insect’s shape and fine detail.

Walking through a remote part of the woods and spotted this striking soldier fly hopping leaf to leaf. I believe it’s Actina viridis. I’d never seen anything like it before, so distinct and unmistakable. #Diptera #Stratiomyidae 🪲🪳 #Invert #entomology 🌿

My best #fly this year, as it is in most yrs - one of my 'Adopted Species' I monitor and study within the Dipterists Forum, a female Clubbed General Soldierfly Stratiomys chamaeleon. Brillant wasp mimic & very rare. Here in the summer at #Cothillfen in Oxon just detained for a photo #Stratiomyidae

A gorgeous Stratiomys potamida seen 16/07/23 at RSPB Middleton Lakes @uk-soldierflies.bsky.social @dipteristsforum.bsky.social #fly #Diptera #Stratiomyidae

Hedriodiscus pulcher
Macho
#Stratiomyidae #moscasoldado #insetos #entomology

I'm experimenting with a "UK soldierfly recording" feed, to include posts relevant to the UK Soldierflies & Allies Recording Scheme. Tags: #soldierfly #soldierflies #Stratiomyidae or #BeeFlyWatch. Probably not much to report at this time of year! To save and like go to: bsky.app/profile/did:...

Nemotelus pantherinus (Fen Snout) male #Stratiomyidae from Norfolk in the summer. Another species with structurally interesting eyes.

Microchrysa cyaneiventris female #Stratiomyidae from Ynys Môn last week #Diptera