Gymnoclytia occidua
(Walker, 1849)
Gymnoclytia occidua is a North American tachinid fly first described by Walker in 1849. As a member of the Phasiinae, it is a whose larvae develop within insects. The species has been documented from a broad geographic range spanning from Michigan and Nova Scotia southwest to Arizona, Mexico, and Georgia.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Gymnoclytia occidua: /ˌdʒɪmnəˈklɪtiə əˈsɪdjuə/
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Distribution
Michigan to Nova Scotia, southwest to Arizona, Mexico, and Georgia; also recorded from Illinois to Virginia and Texas. Vermont has confirmed records.
Host Associations
- Pieris protodice - Lepidoptera ; larval development recorded
- Pieris rapae - Lepidoptera ; larval development recorded
- Euschistus variolarius - Hemiptera ; larval development recorded
Ecological Role
of Lepidoptera and Hemiptera; contributes to of agricultural pest including the imported cabbageworm (Pieris rapae) and brown stink bug (Euschistus variolarius).
Human Relevance
Potential agent for agricultural pests; parasitizes Pieris rapae, a significant pest of cruciferous crops.
More Details
Taxonomic authority
Original description by Francis Walker in 1849.
Observation frequency
Over 1,100 observations documented on iNaturalist, indicating the is relatively frequently encountered within its range.