Silver Colonel
Odontomyia argentata
This record describes Odontomyia argentata (species). Recorded family: Stratiomyidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
A mostly dark Odontomyia with small orange markings at the side margins of the tergites. Males are instantly recogniseable due to the silvery tergites (angle of view can affect how obvious these are). Females are more uniformly darkened and resemble broadly-built Odontomyia tigrina (which has entirely black tergites). However, the elongate first antennal segment (twice as long as segment 2) distinguishes this species from all other Odontomyia. The favoured habitats are fen and marsh. Both sexes visit flowers like Hawthorn and Willow and males have been reported to hover in small groups with their silvery abdomens shimmering conspicuously. Adults have an early flight period for a soldierfly - late April to early June. In Britain, the larvae have been found in the shallow water of pools. Abroad they have also been reared from moss, flood debris and decaying wood. This is a rare species with a scattering of sites across southern and eastern Britain often in calcareous districts.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera
- Family
- Stratiomyidae
- Genus
- Odontomyia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
The favoured habitats are fen and marsh. Both sexes visit flowers like Hawthorn and Willow and males have been reported to hover in small groups with their silvery abdomens shimmering conspicuously.
Seasonal Activity
Adults have an early flight period for a soldierfly - late April to early June.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
In Britain, the larvae have been found in the shallow water of pools. Abroad they have also been reared from moss, flood debris and decaying wood.
Additional species information
Recorded status
This is a rare species with a scattering of sites across southern and eastern Britain often in calcareous districts.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Odontomyia argentata. 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 Silver Colonel (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Silver Colonel
What is Silver Colonel?
Silver Colonel (Odontomyia argentata) is a species in the family Stratiomyidae, within the order Diptera.
Where is Silver Colonel found?
Habitat: The favoured habitats are fen and marsh. Both sexes visit flowers like Hawthorn and Willow and males have been reported to hover in small groups with their silvery abdomens shimmering conspicuously.
When is Silver Colonel active?
Silver Colonel: seasonal activity - Adults have an early flight period for a soldierfly - late April to early June..
What is the life cycle of a Silver Colonel?
In Britain, the larvae have been found in the shallow water of pools. Abroad they have also been reared from moss, flood debris and decaying wood.