Stratiomys longicornis (Scopoli, 1763)
Family: Stratiomyidae – Soldierflies.
Body length 12.5mm
Flight Season: May to July
This is a widespread species mainly found in central and southern countries of Europe, especially in countries close to the Mediterranean. as they prefer a temperate climate. Further north than central Europe, this species become scarcer. They have been recorded as far north as the southern counties of England.
Habitat: Wetlands, marshlands and coastal regions, usually found close to still water, like quarries, lakes, ponds and ditches, in which the aquatic larvae develop in the shallow muddy depths close to the water’s edge. They are able to live in and out of water, usually out of water when searching for another wet site, after their previous one has dried out. The larvae feed mainly on algae and decaying vegetation.
The adults are usually seen feeding from the flowers of the Apiaceae family. (Such as wild carrot, wild hemlock, hogweed, just to name a few of the umbellifer plants).