Microchrysa flavicornis, the green gem, is a European species of soldier fly.
Description A small species (Body 4.5 to 5.0 mm. long) Antennae red-yellow, third antennomere brown, arista black. Legs predominantly yellow, femora III blackish. Pubescence in middle part of mesonotum and on abdomen light-colored in male. Abdomen of female and also frons of female metallic green. Halteres yellow. Wings hyaline. Abdomen with golden reflections.Seguy. E. Faune de France Faune n° 13 1926. Diptères Brachycères. 308 p., 685 fig.George Henry Verrall Stratiomyidae and succeeding families of the Diptera Brachycera of Great Britain- British flies (1909) BHL Full text with illustrations.E. P. Narchuk in Bei-Bienko, G. Ya, 1988 Keys to the insects of the European Part of the USSR Volume 5 (Diptera) Part 2 English edition. Keys to Palaearctic species but now needs revision.
Biology The flight period is June to August. Habitats are deciduous woodland edges, hedgerows, isolated trees and bushes. Larvae have been found in dung.
Distribution North Europe. Central Europe.
References