Beris is a genus of flies in the family Stratiomyidae . They are also referred to as the false soldier fly. As described by Latreille in 1802, these are small to medium sized flies with metallic colors.
15-733: These are flies with elongated bodies and reduced palpi. The scutellum typically features spines and the abdomen has seven visible segments. They are characterized as having black or metallic green thorax, black or orange abdomen and darkened wings in some species. Soldier flies are primarily found in tropical regions but are widespread globally. The larvae are scavengers, inhabiting decaying organic matter, wet moss, compost, and aquatic environments. Adults are typically found near larval habitats, frequenting flowers and forming swarms. These swarms are normally observed around foliage near mountain valleys, marshes, and damp places. Bright, metallic colored species sometimes resemble wasps or bees. The wing venation
30-466: 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. The larvae of Stratiomyidae are characterized by
45-638: 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. Larvae 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. Adults are found near larval habitats. 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
60-601: A vertical plain. Terrestrial larvae are elongated and oval with a rounded abdominal end, while aquatic or semi-aquatic larvae have a tapering posterior end with a crown of hydrofuge hair. The larvae are not predatory or parasitic. They feed on detritus, while their specialized mouthparts serve as sweeping apparatus. Aquatic larvae feed on decaying leaves, micro-organisms and detritus, while the Oxycera larvae feed on algae on moist rocks. Some adults are nectar feeders, indicated by an elongated proboscis and narrow labella, however, most of
75-500: 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
90-551: Is a strongly specific characteristic of the family, with interior veins and a small discal cell in the anterior half of the wing. The antennae show structural variations, and the scutellum is equipped with spines. The larval body is flat with a strongly sclerotized head capsule, three thoracic and about 8 abdominal body segments. The cuticle has a honeycomb-like appearance due to calcium carbonate secretions. The mandibles and maxillae are fused together, forming two distinct mandibular-maxillary complexes. These complexed move alternately in
105-558: Is capable of laying 600 or more eggs per batch. Pupation takes place within the final larval skin, or puparium. The pupa is much smaller than puparium since the remaining space is filled with air to allow floatation upon the water's surface. This article related to members of the insect family Stratiomyidae , the soldier flies, is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Stratiomyidae The soldier flies ( Stratiomyidae , sometimes misspelled as Stratiomyiidae , from Greek στρατιώτης - soldier; μυια - fly) are
120-587: 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. 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
135-418: 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 post embryonic 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
150-424: 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
165-870: The other over the abdomen. The Stratiomyinae are a subfamily that tend to have an affinity to aquatic environments. 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 ). The name might originate from thoracic spines of adults that resemble armor or striped larvae that resemble uniformed soldiers. These flies range from very small to large, 3 to 20 mm long. They have antennae in three segments, with
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#1732902810125180-413: The practice of mimicry. 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. Stratiomyidae Xylomyidae Pantophthalmidae Costa (entomology) This glossary of entomology describes terms used in
195-636: 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
210-498: The species have a relatively short proboscis with a large fleshy labella which consume pollen grains and honeydew. In general, male flies in the genus Beris tend to be slightly smaller in size compared to females. Their eyes are contiguous in the male. The coloration of the body and wings can vary between species and exhibit sexual dimorphism In temperate regions, the life cycle is annual. The larvae may hibernate several times. The eggs are usually pale yellow and elongated. The female
225-438: 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
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