Broad Centurion, a soldier-fly

Name: Broad Centurion, a soldier-fly

Scientific name: Chloromyia formosa

Category: Minibeasts

Nature Stars: 50

What are nature stars?

About: Soldierflies a group of very pretty flies that look similar to hoverflies but tend to be more colourful, with several species being irridescent metallic green. Chloromya formosa is one of the commonest and most widespread soldierflies, often found in gardens, about 9mm long. It breeds in damp rotting vegetation, including compost heaps. Adults visit flowers to feed on nectar.

How to identify: There are almost 50 species of soldierfly in the UK, found in a wide variety of habitats. They are a colourful group of small to medium sized flies, sometimes hairy but never bristly.

Where: Widespread

Natural Superpowers

• Predator: 10
• Agility: 60
• Rarity: 40
• Cute factor: 10
• Traveller: 50

Fantastic fact: Soldierflies are named after the smart, bright 'uniforms' of some of the larger species.

Photograph credit: Photo credit tbc