Garden Soldier Fly
Exaireta spinigera
This record describes Exaireta spinigera (species). Recorded family: Stratiomyidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wikipedia reference for Exaireta spinigera: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exaireta_spinigera.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera (Flies)
- Family
- Stratiomyidae (Soldier flies)
- Subfamily
- Beridinae
- Genus
- Exaireta
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
native to Australia, introduced to NA (Pacific Coast); established in CA and BC
Diet and Behavior
Diet: decaying organic matter
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Exaireta spinigera (Wiedemann 1830)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Exaireta spinigera. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Diptera includes over 150,000 described species of flies, mosquitoes, and midges. Mosquitoes are the deadliest animal on Earth (CDC). Malaria alone causes ~249 million cases and over 608,000 deaths annually, mostly children under 5 (WHO). Vector-borne diseases account for over 17% of all infectious diseases, causing 700,000+ deaths per year.
Ecological role of the group
Despite their disease impact, flies are critical decomposers and pollinators. Hoverflies alone pollinate hundreds of crop and wildflower species. Flies are also the primary food source for many birds, bats, and fish. Forensic entomology relies heavily on fly species for crime scene analysis.
Economic and practical significance of the group
In the U.S., vector-borne disease cases tripled between 2004-2016, with over 640,000 cases reported in that period (CDC). Tickborne diseases doubled from 22,000 to 48,000 annual reports. Globally, mosquito-borne diseases cost billions in healthcare and lost productivity.
Recorded sources for this group: WHO, CDC, PNAS. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Garden Soldier Fly (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Martin Hauser; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Garden Soldier Fly
How big is Garden Soldier Fly?
~14 mm
Where is Garden Soldier Fly found?
Range: native to Australia, introduced to NA (Pacific Coast); established in CA and BC
What does Garden Soldier Fly eat?
The diet of the Garden Soldier Fly includes decaying organic matter.