It has a widespread Palearctic distribution, occurring in Southern Europe and parts of Asia. It has a very restricted range in Britain, where it is regarded as endangered.[12]
Ecology
In Britain larvae have been found in tufa-rich flush systems. Elsewhere larvae of Stratiomys chamaeleon have been recorded from the margins of freshwater ponds and spring pools as well as from semi saline conditions. Adults are on the wing from late June to the middle of August, with peak occurring in mid to late July and feed on nectar, mostly from umbellifers.[12]
^Meigen, J.W. (1804). Klassifikazion und Beschreibung der europäische n zweiflugeligen Insekten (Diptera Linn.). Erster Band. Abt. I. Braunschweig [= Brunswick]: Reichard. pp. xxviii + pp. 1–152, Abt. II. vi + pp. 153–314.
^Macquart, P.J.M. (1826). "Insectes diptères du nord de la France. Asiliques, bombyliers, xylotomes, leptides, stratiomyides, xylophagites et tabaniens". Mem. Soc. Sci. Agric. Arts, Lille. 1825: 324–499, 3 pls.
^Zeegers, T.; Schulten, A. (2022). Families of Flies with Three Pulvilli: Field Guide Northwest Europe. Graveland: Jeugdbondsuitgeverij. pp. 256pp. ISBN9789051070682.
^ abHowe, Mike; Howe, Liz (1995). "The soldier fly Stratiomys chamaeleon on Anglesey and the Black Isle". Dipterists Digest (Print). Second series. 2 (1). Dipterists Forum: 24–28. ISSN0953-7260.