M.T., Invermay.

This is a female soldier fly. It is uncommon locally.

The female is wingless and appears with autumn rains, climbing posts and treetrunks, presumably making it easier for the winged male to find her. She is ungainly looking, sometimes thought by first-time observers to be injured or mutilated.

Occasionally, several female soldier flies can be found on one post or trunk. Males seem to be scarcer, but one can often be found when females are present.

The larvae live in damp soil or compost. I believe they emerge from their pupal cases when the autumn rains arrive, similar to some large wood moths.