Sugarcane Soldier Fly

Inopus rubriceps

'Inopus rubriceps", known generally as the sugarcane soldier fly or Australian soldier fly, is a species of soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae. The fly acts as a host for the parasitoid wasps "Neurogalesus carinatus" and "Neurogalesus militis".
Sugarcane soldier fly A fly that is native to this country but has been introduced accidentally to California, USA and New Zealand. Larvae cause damage to sugarcane crops. This fly is very small, no more than 10 mm body length. Female. Australia,Australian soldier fly,Diptera,Fall,Geotagged,Inopus rubriceps,Stratiomyidae,arthropod,autumn,fauna,insect,invertebrate,macro,new south wales,sugarcane soldier fly

Appearance

The species causes damage to pasture, as well as oat and maize crops, however the degree of damage it causes means it is not considered a major pest.
Inopus rubriceps - Red headed Fly Australia,Geotagged,Inopus rubriceps,Sugarcane Soldier Fly,Summer

Distribution

Though native to South East Queensland and northern New South Wales areas in Australia, its introduced range includes California and New Zealand. Populations tend to prefer warm, moist climates in subtropical/tropical regions, and no related species occur in its native range, suggesting a long evolutionary history for the fly in the region. The species was first recorded in New Zealand in 1944, appearing at Ōpōtiki in the Bay of Plenty on the North Island.

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Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionArthropoda
ClassInsecta
OrderDiptera
FamilyStratiomyidae
GenusInopus
SpeciesI. rubriceps
Photographed in
Australia