any member of the insect family Stratiomyidae (order Diptera), recognizable by the pattern of veins on its wings. Soldier flies may have a broad, flattened abdomen (Stratiomys) or an elongated abdomen that narrows at the base (Ptecticus). Often brightly coloured with yellow, green, or black stripes, these flies resemble bees or wasps and are usually found around flowers.

The wormlike larvae are either carnivorous or herbivorous and live in a variety of habitats—e.g., water, decaying organic matter, and vegetables. Pupation occurs in the larval skin.