A Green Soldier Fly

For the last several days this little soldier fly has been living on the curry flowers in close vicinity of the praying mantis nymph. It belongs to the  Stratiomyid family and is not to be confused with the metallic green soldier fly. The line across the eye always intrigues me. It is 9 or 10mm long, shorter but much thicker than the mantis nymph, so it is safe for now. The fly could be at risk when the nymph has reached adulthood.

Meanwhile the mantis nymph caught a tiny fly today. See extra shot.