Microchrysa polita explained

Microchrysa polita, the black-horned gem, is a species of soldier fly found in Europe, Asia, and North America.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Description

A small species (Body 4.5 to 5.5.mm. long) Antennae black. Legs predominantly black. Pubescence in middle part of mesonotum and on abdomen black in male.^{[4] [5] [6]}

Biology

The flight period is March to September. Habitats are deciduous woodland edges, wooded areas, hedgerows, gardens, and parks. Larvae have been found in soil, decomposing grass and leaves, and compost.

Distribution

Russia, Siberia, Central Asia, Mongolia, Western Europe, United States, and Canada.

Notes and References

1. Book: Stubbs . Alan E . Drake . Martin . British Soldierflies and their allies (an illustrated guide to their identification and ecology) . 2014 . . Reading . 9781899935079 . 528 pp, 20 plates . 2.
2. Woodley . N.E. . A World Catalog of the Stratiomyidae (Diptera) . Myia . 2001 . 11 . 1–462. 7 December 2022.
3. Book: Zeegers . T. . Schulten . A. . Families of Flies with Three Pulvilli: Field Guide Northwest Europe . 2022 . Jeugdbondsuitgeverij . Graveland . 9789051070682 . 256pp.
4. Seguy. E. Faune de France Faune n° 13 1926. Diptères Brachycères. 308 p., 685 fig.
5. Book: Verrall . G.H. . Stratiomyidae and succeeding families of the Diptera Brachycera of Great Britain In his British flies . 1909 . Gurney & Jackson . London . 5 . 780 pp . 14 October 2022.
6. E. P. Narchuk in Bei-Bienko, G. Ya, 1988 Keys to the insects of the European Part of the USSR Volume 5 (Diptera) Part 2 English edition. Keys to Palaearctic species but now needs revision.