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Title: STRATIOMYIDAE [INVITED BOOK CHAPTER}

Author
item Woodley, Norman

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/25/2005
Publication Date: 6/30/2009
Citation: Woodley, N.E. 2009. Stratiomyidae (soldier flies). In: Brown, B.V., Borkent, A., Cumming, J.M., Wood, D.M., Woodley, N.E. and Zumbado, M., editors. Manual of Central American Diptera. Ottawa, Canada: National Research Council Research Press. p. 521-549.

Interpretive Summary: Many species of soldier flies are beneficial to agriculture in that the larvae help to decompose plant material, although a few species are known to attack living plants, such as grass roots. The information contained in this publication summarizes the taxonomy of soldier flies that occur in Mexico and Central America, providing a comprehensive identification key and a summary of known classification and biological information. A chapter in a comprehensive manual on the flies of Central America, this work will enable scientists, quarantine workers (such as APHIS PPQ), and others concerned with flies to identify these insects.

Technical Abstract: The Central American fauna of the family Stratiomyidae is reviewed at the generic level, based on literature and original research. A key to the circa 85 genera that occur in Mexico and Central America is given. A synopsis of knowledge of the family is presented as well as identification aids, figures, and a summary of biology of the group.