Drino

Robineau-Desvoidy, 1863

Drino is a of tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae) comprising that attack lepidopteran and other . Species are primarily endoparasitoids, with larvae developing within host haemocoels. Several species exhibit distinctive biological traits including ovolarviparity (larviparity), gregarious development, and sophisticated immune evasion mechanisms. The genus has been recorded across Europe, Asia, and North America, with individual species showing varying degrees of host specificity from to parasitoids.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Drino: /ˈdriː.noʊ/

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Identification

Identification to requires examination of morphological characters typical of Tachinidae: single pair of membranous wings with reduced hindwings modified as , aristate , and bristly body. -level identification depends on detailed examination of chaetotaxy, abdominal sternite structure, and male genitalia. Drino species are distinguished from related eryciine genera by combinations of bristle patterns, thoracic chaetotaxy, and wing venation characters. Larvae are maggot-like, typically white or cream-colored, and develop internally within .

Distribution

recorded from Europe (including Scandinavia: Denmark, Norway, Sweden), Asia (China, Turkey), and North America. Individual distributions vary: D. bohemica and D. inconspicua occur in Palearctic regions; D. inconspicuoides in East Asia; D. maroccana in the western Mediterranean (Iberian Peninsula, Morocco); D. munda as an in North America.

Host Associations

Mythimna separata - endoparasitoid Primary for D. inconspicuoides; larvae develop in haemocoel
Manduca - gregarious for D. rhoeo; supports multiple larvae (8-50 per host)
Neodiprion sertifer - endoparasitoid for D. inconspicua in pine forests of Turkey
Apochima diaphanaria ssp. rjabovi - larval First recorded for D. imberbis
Streblote panda - for D. maroccana in Iberian Peninsula

Life Cycle

Reproductive modes vary by : D. inconspicuoides is ovolarviparous (produces that hatch within the female before deposition). D. rhoeo is gregarious, with multiple larvae (8-50) developing together within a single . Larval development occurs in the host haemocoel. typically occurs within the host or in soil after host death. Development time and survival are influenced by temperature and clutch size.

Behavior

D. inconspicuoides exhibits a novel immune evasion strategy: larvae become surrounded by a 'cloak' composed of haemocytes and , preventing melanization and by the host immune system. D. bohemica shows associative learning and , with capable of learning to associate environmental cues with host presence; learning retention varies from hours to days. D. bohemica also exhibits fluctuating host selection preferences through the oviposition period, with individual variation in host choice within groups.

Ecological Role

Internal of arthropods, primarily Lepidoptera. D. rhoeo likely has powerful roles in shaping of plants and insects in tri-trophic systems through -dependent effects on . As agents, may exhibit non-target effects on beneficial or non-pest species.

Human Relevance

Potential agents for lepidopteran pests, though non-target effects must be evaluated. D. inconspicua in Turkish pine forests were negatively affected by Bacillus subtilis treatments targeting Neodiprion sertifer, illustrating risks of biological control agent interactions. D. munda is recorded as an in North America, with potential implications.

Similar Taxa

WinthemiaAnother eryciine tachinid with similar ; distinguished by abdominal and genitalic characters
BelvosiaRelated eryciine also parasitizing lepidopteran larvae; differs in larval development mode and range patterns
CompsiluraGregarious tachinid of similar ; distinguished by larviparous and different host immune interactions

More Details

Immune evasion mechanism

D. inconspicuoides larvae are surrounded by a 'cloak' of origin containing haemocytes and . Haemocytes assemble first, followed by fat body cells covering this layer, with subsequent mixing. Living larvae wrapped in the cloak are not melanized, while dead encapsulated larvae are melanized, demonstrating the structure's role in immune evasion.

Density-dependent competition

D. rhoeo exhibits extreme body size variation (largest flies >6× mass of smallest) driven by competitive larval environment. Trade-offs occur between body structures linked to and , with strategies differing between sexes and across body sizes.

Learning behavior

D. bohemica learned to associate movement of cage components with larval presence, and became habituated to an artist's brush stimulus. Individual and group differences exist in learning ability and retention.