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Black-horned Gem - Microchrysa polita
This small soldier fly has a shiny green thorax and the female has a broad abdomen.
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.
Well wooded areas, hedgerows, gardens, and other well vegetated places.
March to September.
It breeds in dung, rotting vegetable matter and compost heaps. Adults take flower nectar.
Widespread and common in Britain.
Common in Leicestershire and Rutland
Leicestershire & Rutland Map
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MAP KEY:
Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015
UK Map
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
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