Blondeliini

Genus Guides

Blondeliini is a tribe of parasitic flies within the Tachinidae (Diptera). Members are of other insects, with documented including beetles and caterpillars. The tribe exhibits greatest diversity in the New World, particularly South America, though it occurs nearly worldwide. Several possess a piercing-type ovipositor, a morphological feature with phylogenetic significance within the tribe.

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Pronunciation

How to pronounce Blondeliini: //blɔnˈdɛ.li.iː.naɪ//

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Identification

Females of some can be distinguished by postabdominal characters, including invaginations on tergite 6 and sternite 6. The presence of a piercing-type ovipositor occurs in multiple genera including Medinodexia, though structural differences exist across the tribe. Specific identification requires examination of female postabdominal .

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Distribution

Nearly ; greatest diversity in the New World, especially South America. Recorded from Korea, Japan, and other regions.

Host Associations

Aulacophora nigripennis - leaf beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), of Medinodexia japonica
Coleoptera - documented for tribe
Lepidoptera larvae - caterpillar documented for tribe

Ecological Role

of insects, primarily beetles (Coleoptera) and caterpillars (Lepidoptera). Contributes to of herbivorous insect .

Human Relevance

Potential agents for agricultural and forestry pests due to lifestyle.

Similar Taxa

Other Tachinidae tribesBlondeliini distinguished by combination of postabdominal characters in females and piercing-type ovipositor in multiple ; phylogenetic relationships based on female tergite 6 and sternite 6 invaginations separate it from related lineages such as Medina

More Details

Phylogenetic significance

Female postabdominal characters, particularly invaginations on tergite 6 and sternite 6, have been examined for phylogenetic implications within Blondeliini. Medinodexia females share these structures with Medina, indicating close relationship. Some previously assigned to Medinodexia (M. exigua, M. orientalis) are now recognized as belonging to an undescribed based on differences in male and female postabdominal characters.