Long-horned Black Legionnaire - Beris geniculata

Description

Like all flies in the Beris genus, this species has six spines at the base of the scutellum. B. geniculata has a black, or dark, abdomen and dark legs with yellow 'knees'.

Similar Species

There are 6 British species in the Beris genus and these can usually be distinguished by the combination of abdomen and leg colours. See ID Aids below.

Identification difficulty
ID guidance
  • 6 spines at the base of the scutellum
  • black/dark abdomen
  • dark legs with yellow 'knees'
Identification aids

This genus of soldierflies are all of modest size with an elliptical abdomen. The abdomen is either blackish or mainly orange but without a striking pattern. They also have 6 spines projecting backwards from the scutellum. Note that flies in the related Chorisops genus have 4 spines.

There are 6 known species in Britain. It is not known if all can be found in Leicestershire and Rutland and the status descriptions are based on national records.

Species Abdomen Legs Status
B. chalybata black dull orange common
B. fuscipes black dark with orange on tips of femora + base of tibiae uncommon
B. geniculata black dark all over common
B. morrisii black clear yellow uncommon
B. clavipes orange hind tibiae orange rare
B. vallata orange hind tibiae half black / half orange common

Note: as with many species there can be variation amongst specimens.

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

Woodland and often near water.

UK Status

Quite common and widespread in Britain.

VC55 Status

Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

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

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Long-horned Black Legionnaire
Species group:
Flies
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Diptera
Family:
Stratiomyidae
Records on NatureSpot:
6
First record:
24/06/2011 (Nicholls, David)
Last record:
10/07/2021 (Gould, David)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

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