''Sargus iridatus'', the iridescent centurion, is a European 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

The body length is 6.0 to 11.0 mm. Like '' Sargus cuprarius'', it is almost entirely purple. It has black antennae, the third segment of the antenna in males being shorter than the second. It has a whitish proboscis; the face and frons are metallic green. There are two clearly delineated white spots at the base of the antennae better developed in females. The thorax has blue reflections. It has black legs, with knees barely paler. The wings are uniformly smoky. It has dirty yellowish halteres. The abdomen is less violet, with black sternites. William Lundbeck ''Diptera Danica. Genera and species of flies Hitherto found in Denmark''. Copenhagen & London, 1902-1927. 7 vols

Biology

It is found in open and wooded habitats. Larval habitats are in dung, decomposing vegetable matter and compost.

Distribution

Its distribution covers western Europe, northern, and southern Europe, north up to Finland and European Russia.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q7423987 Stratiomyidae Diptera of Europe Diptera of Asia Insects described in 1763 Taxa named by Giovanni Antonio Scopoli