About Soldier Flies

There are over 2,700 species of Soldier Flies 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 the other over the abdomen.

Garden Soldier Fly

Garden Soldier Fly Exaireta spinigera is native to Australia but has been introduced to many different countries like New Zealand, Hawaii, North America, Europe and Russia. The originally described holotype of the species was kept in the Berlin Museum and was discovered when Australia was still referred to as New Holland. The larvae of Exaireta spinigera prefer living in decaying organic matter and are commonly associated with residential compost bins. A fly body length about 15 mm with an attractive blue sheen in the wings.

Photo: Robert Whyte

Photo: Robert Whyte

Photo: Robert Whyte