Three-lined Soldier
EN

Three-lined Soldier

Oxycera trilineata

Unknown

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

Overview

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

The Three-lined Soldier faces severe population declines primarily due to wetland habitat destruction and degradation across its European range. Agricultural intensification and urban development have eliminated many of the shallow, nutrient-rich pools and marshy areas essential for its larval development. Water pollution from agricultural runoff and climate-induced changes to wetland hydrology further compromise the quality of remaining breeding sites.

Threat summary

Habitat

This soldier fly species inhabits shallow, temporary pools, marshy areas, and wetland margins with rich organic matter and decaying vegetation. The larvae develop in nutrient-rich aquatic environments, while adults are found in adjacent grasslands and wetland vegetation.

Other threatened species in Stratiomyidae

Delicate SoldierVU

Delicate Soldier

Oxycera nigricornis

Unknown
Hill SoldierVU

Hill Soldier

Oxycera pardalina

Unknown
Long-horned GeneralEN

Long-horned General

Stratiomys longicornis

Unknown
Oxycera meigeniiVU

Oxycera meigenii

Unknown

Threatened in Åland Islands

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
Scarce BlackneckCR

Scarce Blackneck

Lygephila craccae

Unknown
EN

knopphodeedderkopp

Walckenaeria nodosa

Unknown
EN

Dolichopus notatus

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Three-lined Soldier classified as Endangered?
Three-lined Soldier is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. The Three-lined Soldier faces severe population declines primarily due to wetland habitat destruction and degradation across its European range. Agricultural intensification and urban development have eliminated many of the shallow, nutrient-rich pools and marshy areas essential for its larval development. Water pollution from agricultural runoff and climate-induced changes to wetland hydrology further compromise the quality of remaining breeding sites.
Where does Three-lined Soldier live?
Three-lined Soldier occurs in Åland Islands, Algeria, Austria, China, Denmark, and Estonia (plus 22 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 Three-lined Soldier?
The main threats to Three-lined 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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