Solva marginata also known as the drab wood-soldierfly is a species of soldier fly

Stratiomyidae

The soldier flies , are a family of flies . The family contains about 1,500 species in about 400 genera worldwide. Adults are found near larval habitats...

 in the family Xylomyidae

Xylomyidae

Xylomyidae or wood soldier flies is a family of Diptera associated with dead or dying wood .-Genera:*Solva*Solva marginata *Solva minuta*Solva nigritibialis*Solva varia*Xylomya...

, the "wood soldier flies".

Description

The body is mostly blackish. The tip of the thorax has some bright yellow markings. The abdomen has pale, narrow bands, and bright yellow markings. It has short, multi-segmented antennae, and looks similar to the sawfly.

Distribution

This species is widespread in the United Kingdom, but considered scarce and uncommon. It is found mostly in specific local areas in southeast England, East Anglia and East Midlands.

Habitat

This fly is associated with the poplar

Poplar

Populus is a genus of 25–35 species of deciduous flowering plants in the family Salicaceae, native to most of the Northern Hemisphere. English names variously applied to different species include poplar , aspen, and cottonwood....

tree. The larvae live under bark, feeding on rotting wood.

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