Soldierflies and Allies Recording Scheme
Stratiomyidae
Contrary to most other lower flies, the larvae of the Stratiomyidae are not predators or parasitoids. They are aquatic to terrestrial and mainly feed on algae and rotting organic matter, in most cases of vegetable origin. The aquatic habitats range from stagnant to running water, moist rock faces, on water vegetation, marshes, saline environments along the seaside or inland. Terrestrial larvae often occur underneath leaves and other rotting vegetable matter, in the topsoil, in some cases in dung, in ants nests and below the bark of trees. The adults feed on nectar and honeydew.
Soldierflies and Allies Recording Scheme
![Banded General soldierfly, Stratiomys potamida -photo by Nigel Jones](/sites/default/files/2018-11/Stratiomys%20potamida_Nigel%20Jones.jpg)
The Soldierflies and Allies Recording Scheme collates biological records for 11 related Diptera families, using the information to promote enjoyment, study and conservation of the species and their habitats.