Beris

{{short description|Genus of flies}} {{about||places in Iran|Beris, Iran (disambiguation){{!}}Beris, Iran|the British biostratigrapher and palaeontologist|Beris Cox}} {{Automatic_taxobox | image = Beris vallata (Common Orange Legionnaire).jpg | image_caption = ''Beris vallata'' | taxon = Beris | authority = Latreille, 1802<ref name="Latreille1802">{{cite book |last1=Latreille |first1=P.A. |title=Histoire naturelle, generale et particuliere, des crustaces et des insectes. Tome troisieme |date=1802 |publisher=Dufart |location=Paris |pages=xii + 13–467 + 1 pp}}</ref> | synonyms =*''Hexacantha'' Meigen, 1803<ref name="Meigen1803">{{cite journal|last1=Meigen|first1=J. W.|title=Versuch einer neuen Gattungs-Eintheilung der europaischen zweiflugligen Insekten|journal=Mag. Insektenkd|date=1803|volume=2|pages=259–281}}</ref> *''Hexacantha'' Lioy, 1864<ref name="Lioy1864">{{cite journal |last1=Lioy |first1=P. |title=I ditteri distribuiti secondo un nuovo metodo di classificazione naturale da Paolo Lioy colla descrizione delle famiglie e dei generi, colla indicazione delle specie trovate indigene nell'Italia settentrionale o che per analogie geografiche sarà facile incontrarvi, e con osservazioni sulla loro storia naturale, compilate particolarmente sull'opera di Macquart, Histoire naturelle dei dipteres, e su altri studi propri e di più recenti entomologi [part] |journal=Atti dell'Imperial Regio Istituto Veneto di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti (3) |date=1864 |volume=9 |issue=5 |pages=569–604}}</ref> *''Octacantha'' Lioy, 1864<ref name="Lioy1864"/> *''Hemiberis'' Enderlein, 1921<ref name="Enderlein1921a">{{cite journal |last1=Enderlein |first1=Günther |title=Uber die phyletisch alteren Stratiomyiiden-Subfamilien (Xylophaginae, Chiromyzinae, Solvinae, Beridinae und Coenomyiinae) |journal = Mitteilungen aus dem Zoologischen Museum in Berlin |date=1921 |volume=10 |pages=150–214 |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/93412#page/167/mode/1up |access-date=16 June 2018}}</ref> | type_species = ''Musca chalybata'' | type_species_authority =Forster, 1771<ref name="Forster1771">{{cite book |last1=Forster |first1=J.R. |title=Novae species insectorum. Centuria I. |date=1771 |publisher=Davies & White |location=London |pages=viii + 100 pp |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/255748#page/5/mode/1up |access-date=9 October 2022}}</ref> }}

'''''Beris''''' is a genus of flies in the family Stratiomyidae.<ref name="StubbsDrake2014">{{cite book |last1=Stubbs |first1=Alan E |last2=Drake |first2=Martin |title=British Soldierflies and their allies (an illustrated guide to their identification and ecology) |date=2014 |publisher=British Entomological and Natural History Society |location=Reading |isbn=9781899935079 |pages=528 pp, 20 plates |edition=2}}</ref><ref name="Woodley2001">{{cite journal |last1=Woodley |first1=N.E. |title=A World Catalog of the Stratiomyidae (Diptera) |journal=Myia |date=2001 |volume=11 |pages=1–462| url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/303225468| access-date=7 December 2022}}</ref><ref name="ZeegersSchulten2022">{{cite book |last1=Zeegers |first1=T. |last2=Schulten |first2=A. |title=Families of Flies with Three Pulvilli: Field Guide Northwest Europe |date=2022 |publisher=Jeugdbondsuitgeverij |location=Graveland |isbn=9789051070682 |pages=256pp}}</ref> They are also referred to as the false soldier fly. As described by Latreille in 1802, these are small to medium sized flies with metallic colors.

== Description == These are flies with elongated bodies and reduced palpi. The scutellum typically features spines and the abdomen has seven visible segments. They are characterized as having black or metallic green thorax, black or orange abdomen and darkened wings in some species.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Falck |first=Morten |year=2007 |title=Notes on the Norwegian species of Beris Latreille, 1802 (Diptera, Stratiomyidae) |journal=Norw. J. Entomol |volume=54 |pages=55–58}}</ref>

== Habitat and behavior == Soldier flies are primarily found in tropical regions but are widespread globally. The larvae are scavengers, inhabiting decaying organic matter, wet moss, compost, and aquatic environments. Adults are typically found near larval habitats, frequenting flowers and forming swarms.<ref>Woodley, N. E. 2009. Family Stratiomyidae, pp. 100-106. In, J. Gerlach (Ed.). The Diptera of the Seychelles islands. Pensoft Publishers, Sofia and Moscow. 431 pp. Published February 2009</ref> These swarms are normally observed around foliage near mountain valleys, marshes, and damp places.<ref>Rozkosný R (1973) The Stratiomyioidea (Diptera) of Fennoscandia and Denmark. Vol. 1. Fanua Entomologica Scandinavia. Scandinavian Science Press, Gadstrup, 151 pp.</ref>

== Morphology == Bright, metallic colored species sometimes resemble wasps or bees. The wing venation is a strongly specific characteristic of the family, with interior veins and a small discal cell in the anterior half of the wing.<ref name=":0" /> The antennae show structural variations, and the scutellum is equipped with spines.

The larval body is flat with a strongly sclerotized head capsule, three thoracic and about 8 abdominal body segments. The cuticle has a honeycomb-like appearance due to calcium carbonate secretions. The mandibles and maxillae are fused together, forming two distinct mandibular-maxillary complexes. These complexed move alternately in a vertical plain. Terrestrial larvae are elongated and oval with a rounded abdominal end, while aquatic or semi-aquatic larvae have a tapering posterior end with a crown of hydrofuge hair.<ref name=":0">Kovac, D., & Rozkošný, R. (2004). Insecta: Diptera, Stratiomyidae. ''Freshwater Invertebrates of the Malaysian Region; Yule, CM, Yong, HS, Eds'', 798.</ref>

The larvae are not predatory or parasitic. They feed on detritus, while their specialized mouthparts serve as sweeping apparatus. Aquatic larvae feed on decaying leaves, micro-organisms and detritus, while the Oxycera larvae feed on algae on moist rocks.<ref>Kovac, D., & Rozkošný, R. (2004). Insecta: Diptera, Stratiomyidae. ''Freshwater Invertebrates of the Malaysian Region; Yule, CM, Yong, HS, Eds'', 800.</ref> Some adults are nectar feeders, indicated by an elongated proboscis and narrow labella, however, most of the species have a relatively short proboscis with a large fleshy labella which consume pollen grains and honeydew.<ref>Olroyd H. (1969) Diptera Brachycera. Section (a) Tabanoidea and Asiloidea. Handbook for Identification of British Insects 9: 1–132.</ref><ref>Beuk P.L.T. (1990) Honeydew as food source for insects in particular for soldier flies (Diptera: Stratiomyidae). Phegea 18: 137–140.</ref>

In general, male flies in the genus ''Beris'' tend to be slightly smaller in size compared to females. Their eyes are contiguous in the male.<ref name="Narchuk1988">{{cite journal |last1=Narchuk |first1=E. P. |editor1-last=Bei-Bienko |editor1-first=G. Ya |title=Stratiomyidae |journal=Keys to the Insects of the European Part of the USSR |date=1988 |volume=5 |issue=Part 2 English edition}}</ref> The coloration of the body and wings can vary between species and exhibit sexual dimorphism

== Life cycle == In temperate regions, the life cycle is annual. The larvae may hibernate several times. The eggs are usually pale yellow and elongated. The female is capable of laying 600 or more eggs per batch. Pupation takes place within the final larval skin, or puparium. The pupa is much smaller than puparium since the remaining space is filled with air to allow floatation upon the water's surface.<ref>Kovac, D., & Rozkošný, R. (2004). Insecta: Diptera, Stratiomyidae. ''Freshwater Invertebrates of the Malaysian Region; Yule, CM, Yong, HS, Eds'', 802.</ref>

==Species== *''Beris alamaculata'' Yang & Nagatomi, 1992<ref name="YangNagatomi1992">{{cite journal |last1=Yang |first1=D. |last2=Nagatomi |first2=A. |title=A study of the Chinese Beridinae (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) |journal=South Pacific Study |date=1992 |volume=12 |issue=2 |pages=129–178}}</ref> *''Beris ancistra'' Cui, Li & Yang, 2010<ref name="CuiLiYang2010">{{cite journal |last1=Cui |first1=W.N. |last2=Li |first2=Z. |last3=Yang |first3=D. |title=Five new species of ''Beris'' (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) from China |journal=Entomotaxonomia |date=2010 |volume=32 |pages=277–283}}</ref> *''Beris annulifera'' var. luteipes Johnson, 1926<ref name="Johnson1926">{{cite journal |last1=Johnson |first1=C.W. |title=A note on ''Beris annulifera'' (Bigot) |journal=Psyche: A Journal of Entomology |date=1926 |volume=33 |issue=4–5 |pages=108–109 |doi=10.1155/1926/91870 |url=https://downloads.hindawi.com/journals/psyche/1926/091870.pdf |access-date=16 December 2022|doi-access=free }}</ref> *''Beris annulipes'' Brunetti, 1912<ref name="Brunetti1912">{{cite journal |last1=Brunetti |first1=E. |title=New Oriental Diptera. I |journal=Records of the Indian Museum |date=1912 |volume=7 |pages=445–513, pl. 37 |doi=10.5962/bhl.part.28244 |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/11141868#page/667/mode/1up |access-date=14 November 2022}}</ref> *''Beris basiflava'' Yang & Nagatomi, 1992<ref name="YangNagatomi1992"/> *''Beris burmanica'' Frey, 1960 *''Beris chalybata'' (Forster, 1771)<ref name="Forster1771"/> *''Beris clavipes'' (Linnaeus, 1767)<ref name="Linnaeus1767">{{cite book |last1=Linnaeus |first1=C. |title=Systema naturae ... Ed. 12 (revised.) Vol. 1 (2) |date=1767 |publisher=L.Salvii |location=Holmiae [= Stockholm] |pages=533-1327 + [37] pp}}</ref> *''Beris concava'' Li, Zhang & Yang, 2009<ref name="LiZhangYang2009a">{{cite journal |last1=Li |first1=Z. |last2=Zhang |first2=T.T. |last3=Yang |first3=D. |title=Eleven new species of Beridinae (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) from China |journal=Entomotaxonomia |date=2009 |volume=31 |issue=3 |pages=206–220}}</ref> *''Beris cypria'' James, 1970<ref name="James">{{cite journal |last1=James |first1=M. T. |title=A new ''Beris'' (Dipt., Stratiomyidae) from Cyprus |journal=Entomologist's Monthly Magazine |date=1970b |volume=106 |issue=1271–1273 |pages=121–122}}</ref> *''Beris digitata'' Li, Zhang & Yang, 2009<ref name="LiZhangYang2009a"/> *''Beris dolichocera'' Frey, 1960 *''Beris emeishana'' Yang & Nagatomi, 1992<ref name="YangNagatomi1992"/> *''Beris excellens'' Frey, 1960 *''Beris flava'' Li, Zhang & Yang, 2011<ref name="LiZhangYang2011">{{cite journal |last1=Li |first1=Y. |last2=Zhang |first2=T.T. |last3=Yang |first3=D. |title=Two new species of ''Beris'' from China (Diptera, Stratiomyidae) |journal=Acta Zootaxonomica Sinica |date=2011 |volume=36 |issue=1 |pages=49–51}}</ref> *''Beris furcata'' Cui, Li & Yang, 2010<ref name="CuiLiYang2010"/> *''Beris fuscipes'' Meigen, 1820<ref name="Meigen1820">{{cite book |last1=Meigen |first1=J.W. |title=Systematische Beschreibung der bekannten europäische n zweiflugeligen Insekten |date=1820 |publisher=Zweiter Theil. Forstmann |location=Aachen |pages=xxxvi + 363 |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/45915#page/9/mode/1up |access-date=8 July 2022}}</ref> *''Beris gansuensis'' Yang & Nagatomi, 1992<ref name="YangNagatomi1992"/> *''Beris geniculata'' Curtis, 1830<ref name="Curtis1830">{{cite book |last1=Curtis |first1=J. |title=British entomology |volume= 7 |date=1830 |publisher=Privately published |location=London |pages=Pls 334–337}}</ref> *''Beris hauseri'' Stuke, 2004<ref name="Stuke2004">{{cite journal |last1=Stuke |first1=J.-H. |title=Eine neue Art der Gattung ''Beris'' Latreille, 1802 aus Mitteleuropa (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) |journal=Beiträge zur Entomologie |date=2004 |volume=54 |issue=2 |pages=333–342|doi=10.21248/contrib.entomol.54.2.333-342 |doi-access=free }}</ref> *''Beris heptapotamica'' Pleske, 1926 *''Beris hildebrandtae'' Pleske, 1930 *''Beris hirotui'' Ôuchi, 1943<ref name="Ouchi1943">{{cite journal |last1=Ouchi |first1=Y. |title=Contributiones ad Congnitionem Insectorum Asiae Orientalis 13. Notes on some dipterous insects from Japan and Manchoukuo |journal=Shanghai Sizenkagaku Kenkyuso Iho |date=1943 |volume=13 |pages=483–492}}</ref> *''Beris huanglianshana'' Li, Zhang & Yang, 2009<ref name="LiZhangYang2009a"/> *''Beris kovalevi'' Rozkošný & Nartshuk, 1980 *''Beris latifacies'' Nagatomi & Tanaka, 1972 *''Beris luteistigma'' Frey, 1960 *''Beris malaisei'' Frey, 1960 *''Beris miocenica'' James, 1937<ref name="James1937">{{cite journal |last1=James |first1=M.T. |title=A preliminary review of certain families of Diptera from the Florissant Miocene Beds |journal=The Journal of Paleontology |date=1937 |volume=11 |pages=241–247}}</ref> *''Beris morrisii'' Dale, 1841<ref name="Dale1841">{{cite journal |last1=Dale |first1=J.C. |title=''Beris Morrisii'' of Curtis's Guide |journal=Entomologist |date=1841 |volume=1 |pages=175}}</ref> *''Beris nebulosa'' Nagatomi & Tanaka, 1972 *''Beris potanini'' Pleske, 1926 *''Beris pulchripennis'' Frey, 1960 *''Beris rozkosnyi'' Kassebeer, 1996 *''Beris schaposchnikowi'' Pleske, 1926 *''Beris shennongana'' Li, Luo & Yang, 2009 *''Beris spinosa'' Li, Zhang & Yang, 2009<ref name="LiZhangYang2009a"/> *''Beris strobli'' Dušek & Rozkošný, 1968 *''Beris trilobata'' Li, Zhang & Yang, 2009<ref name="LiZhangYang2009a"/> *''Beris vallata'' (Forster, 1771)<ref name="Forster1771"/> *''Beris yangxiana'' Cui, Li & Yang, 2010<ref name="CuiLiYang2010"/> *''Beris zhouae'' Qi, Zhang & Yang, 2011<ref name="QiZhangYang2011">{{cite journal |last1=Qi |first1=F. |last2=Zhang |first2=T.T. |last3=Yang |first3=D. |title=Three new species of Beridinae from China (Diptera, Stratiomyidae) |journal=Acta Zootaxonomica Sinica |date=2011 |volume=36 |issue=2 |pages=278–281}}</ref> *''Beris zhouquensis'' Li, Zhang & Yang, 2011<ref name="LiZhangYang2011"/> *''Beris ziminae'' Rozkošný & Nartshuk, 1980

==References== {{Reflist}}

Category:Stratiomyidae Category:Brachycera genera Category:Taxa named by Pierre André Latreille Category:Flies of North America Category:Flies of Europe Category:Flies of Asia