Hill Soldier
VU

Hill Soldier

Oxycera pardalina

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxycera_pardalina

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Hill Soldier faces significant pressure from habitat degradation in its specialized montane environments, where agricultural expansion and livestock grazing have altered the delicate moisture and vegetation conditions required by this soldier fly species. Climate change poses an additional threat as warming temperatures push suitable habitat to higher elevations, fragmenting already limited populations across isolated mountain ranges.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Hill Soldier inhabits specialized montane environments, typically found in moist grasslands and meadows at higher elevations where specific vegetation and moisture conditions support its larval development. This soldier fly species requires undisturbed areas with particular microhabitat characteristics that are increasingly rare due to human activities.

Other threatened species in Stratiomyidae

Long-horned GeneralEN

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Oxycera meigeniiVU

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Silver ColonelVU

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Odontomyia argentata

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Calidris ferrugineaVU

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Anthophore estivaleCR

Anthophore estivale

Anthophora aestivalis

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Adonis BlueVU

Adonis Blue

Lysandra bellargus

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Anthribus fasciatus

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Hill Soldier classified as Vulnerable?
Hill Soldier is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The Hill Soldier faces significant pressure from habitat degradation in its specialized montane environments, where agricultural expansion and livestock grazing have altered the delicate moisture and vegetation conditions required by this soldier fly species. Climate change poses an additional threat as warming temperatures push suitable habitat to higher elevations, fragmenting already limited populations across isolated mountain ranges.
Where does Hill Soldier live?
Hill Soldier occurs in Albania, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, and Ireland (plus 8 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Hill Soldier?
The main threats to Hill Soldier are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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