Delicate Soldier
Oxycera nigricornis
The Delicate Soldier (Oxycera nigricornis) is a small, slender soldier fly characterized by its distinctive black antennae and metallic green-bronze body coloration. This dipteran species plays an important ecological role as both a pollinator of wildflowers in its adult stage and as a decomposer during its larval phase, helping to break down organic matter in wetland sediments.
13
Countries
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Karim Strohriegl, all rights reserved, uploaded by Karim Strohriegl
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Diptera
Family
Stratiomyidae
Genus
Oxycera
Delicate Soldier belongs to the family Stratiomyidae, order Diptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
The Delicate Soldier (Oxycera nigricornis) is a small, slender soldier fly characterized by its distinctive black antennae and metallic green-bronze body coloration. This dipteran species plays an important ecological role as both a pollinator of wildflowers in its adult stage and as a decomposer during its larval phase, helping to break down organic matter in wetland sediments.
The Delicate Soldier faces mounting pressure from habitat degradation and loss of suitable wetland environments across its range. Agricultural intensification, urban development, and pollution of freshwater systems have significantly reduced the quality and availability of the marshy habitats this species depends on for breeding and larval development.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
This species inhabits marshy areas, wet meadows, and the vegetated margins of ponds, streams, and other freshwater bodies, typically in lowland areas with abundant emergent vegetation. Adults are often found on flowers near these wetland habitats, while larvae develop in shallow, well-vegetated aquatic environments.
Threats
Agricultural intensification and pesticide use
Wetland habitat loss and degradation
Climate change affecting wetland hydrology
Urban development and infrastructure expansion
Water pollution and eutrophication
Found in 13 Countries
Community Sightings
Report a sightingNo community sightings yet. Be the first to report!
Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Delicate Soldier (Oxycera nigricornis). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/delicate-soldier