''Sargus bipunctatus'', the twin-spot centurion, is a

Europe Europe is a continent located entirely in the Northern Hemisphere and mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere. It is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and Asia to the east ...

an species of

soldier fly The soldier flies (Stratiomyidae, sometimes misspelled as Stratiomyiidae, from Greek - soldier; - fly) are a family of flies (historically placed in the now-obsolete group Orthorrhapha). The family contains over 2,700 species in over 380 exta ...

Description

Body length 10 to 14 mm. Frons less broad than in '' Sargus cuprarius''. The mesonotum is metallic green; the abdomen brown, with a violet metallic tinge. Females have a broader build than the slender males with the base of the abdomen extensively reddish and a blackish tip bearing blue reflections. Wings slightly yellow. Red legs, tarsi brown at the apex.

William Lundbeck William Lundbeck (16 October 1863 in Aalborg – 18 May 1941 in Kongens Lyngby) was a Danish entomologist mainly interested in Diptera. He was a Professor in the University Museum in Copenhagen. Lundbeck's most important work was ''Diptera Danica ...

''Diptera Danica. Genera and species of flies Hitherto found in Denmark''. Copenhagen & London, 1902-1927. 7 vols

Biology

Found in open and wooded habitats, sunbathing on foliage in sheltered spots. The flight period is from July to November. Females lay eggs on fresh dung, manure or in close by soil where the larvae develop. The larvae have been reared from cow dung, compost, rotting vegetation and decaying fungi. Larvae have been found in egg pods of locusts (''

Dociostaurus maroccanus ''Dociostaurus maroccanus'', commonly known as the Moroccan locust, is a grasshopper in the insect family Acrididae. It is found in northern Africa, southern and eastern Europe and western Asia. It lives a solitary existence but in some years its ...

'' Shnb.).

Distribution

Sargus bipunctatus can be found in the Trans-Caucasus Central belt and south of Western Europe.

References

External links

Images representing '' Sargus bipunctatus''
at Bold {{Taxonbar, from=Q7423983 Stratiomyidae Diptera of Europe Insects described in 1763 Taxa named by Giovanni Antonio Scopoli