[ID] Headless soldierfly body...

[Jason Green]

Hi all

I found this headless, dead soldierfly body this morning. So bright and beautifully-coloured. Emerald green. I think I've discounted both Chloromyia formosa and S. bipunctatus on basis of size? Feel free to correct me!

2/6/09, the garden @ 10:20am

Headless green soldierfly on Cleavers...
... just c5.5mm in body if it had a head.

Thanks for looking. If you need further shots, I still know where it is. Funny how all the dead ones I find are headless...

Take care,

Jason

EDIT: Is it Microchrysa polita?

[JRsbugs]

Now we know what you do Jason! You eat the heads off flies!

Could be Microchrysa polita, I have pics of a female and it's emerald green, even between the eyes, like a jewel!

Janet

[Jason Green]

Uh-oh, me secret's out...

Thanks Janet - I just added the possibility to my original post - we cross-posted. Thanks - a new one for me! (My third... )

[JRsbugs]

It was new to me this year too! Here's a couple of pics. With heads!

[Jason Green]

With heads? Send them to me... I'm hungry!

Great photos there, Janet. How many species have you seen now, then? That's whole Stratiomyiidaes, not just heads...

[JRsbugs]

This year I have had both male and female Beris chalybata as well, the one I usually see and have pics of is Chloromyia formosa. Haven't seen that one yet.

I have had some others but without a good lens never got a decent pic.