Black-horned Gem - Microchrysa polita

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Description

This small soldier fly has a shiny green thorax and the female has a broad abdomen.

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required. If the photo doesn't show the key ID features then in the comments box describe the size and identifying characters you have observed.

Habitat

Well wooded areas, hedgerows, gardens, and other well vegetated places.

When to see it

March to September.

Life History

It breeds in dung, rotting vegetable matter and compost heaps. Adults take flower nectar.

UK Status

Widespread and common in Britain.

VC55 Status

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland

  • David Nicholls
    Wirlybones Wood, Ratby
    24 May 2008
  • David Nicholls
    Abbey Park, Leicester
    06 May 2011
    female
  • Graham Calow
    Sapcote garden1
    22 August 2015
  • David Nicholls
    Cossington NR
    08 July 2010
  • Graham Calow
    Sapcote, Land off Grace Road
    28 June 2022
  • David Nicholls
    Abbey Park
    20 May 2011
  • Mike Higgott
    Anstey garden
    22 July 2018
    female
  • CAPochin
    GUCanal,Kibworth
    02 September 2021
  • CAPochin
    GUCanal,Kibworth
    02 September 2021

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species data profile ?

Species profile

Common names
Black-horned Gem
Species group:
Flies
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Diptera
Family:
Stratiomyidae
Records on NatureSpot:
33
First record:
24/05/2008 (Nicholls, David)
Last record:
16/08/2023 (Higgott, Mike)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.

In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.

Latest images

Latest records

  • Kate Nightingale
    Cropston garden
    16 August 2015
  • egaten
    Thurlaston garden
    13 May 2019
  • Paul Ruddoch
    Melton Country Park
    08 June 2016
  • Kate Nightingale
    Cropston garden
    16 August 2015
  • Graham Calow
    Sapcote garden1
    15 May 2017
    female - specimen examined
  • Graham Calow
    Sapcote garden1
    01 August 2013
  • thebeesknees
    Leicester Garden
    16 June 2016
    Microchrysa polita
  • CAPochin
    GUCanal,Kibworth
    02 September 2021