# Broad Centurion Fly (*Chloromyia formosa*) The Broad Centurion Fly is a colorful insect that loves to buzz around flowers. With its shiny green body, it looks like a tiny superhero of the garden! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Broad Centurion Fly](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/%28MHNT%29_Chloromyia_formosa.jpg&width=800) Photo: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%28MHNT%29_Chloromyia_formosa.jpg) ## Appearance The Broad Centurion Fly is a jewel-toned insect with a brilliant metallic green or blue-green body, often shimmering with coppery hints. It has a noticeably broad abdomen and striking reddish-yellow legs and antennae. Its large, prominent eyes add to its distinct appearance. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Diptera - **Family:** Stratiomyidae - **Genus:** Chloromyia ## Interesting facts - Baby Broad Centurion Flies are tiny maggots that munch on dead leaves underground. - Broad Centurion Flies help pollinate flowers while sipping on their sweet nectar. - Its amazing metallic body makes it look like it's wearing shiny green armor! - Its scientific name, Chloromyia formosa, means 'beautiful green fly' in Latin! ## Special abilities - **Hovering Master:** Broad Centurion Fly can hover perfectly in mid-air because of its agile wings, which helps them feed on flowers. - **Waste Recycler:** Broad Centurion Fly has larvae that eat decaying plants, which helps them clean up the environment like tiny recyclers. - **Sparkling Camouflage:** Broad Centurion Fly has a metallic sheen that helps them blend into sunny, leafy environments or deter predators. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 10-18 mm - **Size:** 5-10 mm - **Lifespan:** 14-30 days - **Flight Speed:** 12 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults drink flower nectar, while their larvae are important decomposers, eating decaying plants. - **Age differences:** Larvae feed on decaying plant material in soil or compost, while adults exclusively drink nectar and pollen from flowers. - **Primary Foods:** nectar, pollen, decaying plant matter, leaf litter - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** [Daisy](https://www.snappit.app/explore/daisy) (*Bellis perennis*) — Adults visit daisies for nectar and pollen. - **Eaten by:** Blue Tit (*Cyanistes caeruleus*) — Adult flies are a food source for insect-eating birds. - **Depends on:** [European Beech](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-beech) (*Fagus sylvatica*) — Larvae thrive in leaf litter from trees like beech. ## Traits - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low These flies are harmless, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Broad Centurion Fly? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Broad Centurion Fly's wingspan? 10-18 mm ### How big is Broad Centurion Fly? 5-10 mm ### How long does Broad Centurion Fly live? 14-30 days ### How fast can Broad Centurion Fly fly? 12 km/h ### What does Broad Centurion Fly eat? Adults drink flower nectar, while their larvae are important decomposers, eating decaying plants. ### Where is Broad Centurion Fly usually found? Urban areas ### How does Broad Centurion Fly hunt? Foraging ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Broad Centurion Fly: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/broad-centurion-fly)