The family Stratiomyidae, commonly called soldier flies, is comprised of over 2,000 living and fossil species in about 400 genera worldwide. Adults of most extant forms are found near larval habitats. Larvae can be found in a diverse array of situations including hot springs, soil, sod, under bark, and in animal excrement and decaying organic matter.
Some taxa are scavengers, while others are known to be predaceous.
The larvae of some Chiromyzinae feed on the roots of grasses and can become pestiferous.