Biology and description of larva and puparium of the Palaearctic soldier flyStratiomys ruficornis(Diptera: Stratiomyidae)

The first detailed description of the larva and puparium of Stratiomys ruficornis (Macquart, 1838) and notes on its larval habitat are presented. The larva of S. ruficornis is unique among Stratiomys because its last abdominal segment and apical coronet of plumose hydrophobic hairs are both very short. These features are presumably an adaptation for life under semi-aquatic conditions. The problem of assigning the newly described larva to Stratiomys using the available identification keys is discussed. Chaetotaxy of S. ruficornis fully corresponds with the general scheme of the known Stratiomys larvae, but in contrast most setae of the head such as the first clypeofrontal and third ventrolateral seta are pubescent or plumate. The most important diagnostic character is the bush-like third ventral seta on the head, which has not yet been found in other species of Stratiomys.