Exoristoides
Coquillett, 1897
Species Guides
2Exoristoides is a of tachinid flies described by Coquillett in 1897. The genus contains five recognized distributed across North America. As members of the tribe Polideini, these flies are , though specific associations remain poorly documented for most species.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Exoristoides: /ɛksɔrɪˈstoʊɪdiːz/
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Identification
Exoristoides can be distinguished from related Polideini by combinations of bristle patterns on the and , and details of male terminalia. The genus is most similar to Homoeonychia and Eutrixa, but differs in the arrangement of postsutural dorsocentral bristles and the structure of the phallus. Definitive identification requires examination of genitalic characters.
Images
Distribution
North America. have been recorded from the United States and Canada, with most records from western and central regions.
Host Associations
- unknown - Specific unconfirmed; inferred from -level
Ecological Role
As tachinid flies, in this likely function as of other insects, contributing to of potential pest species. The ecological impact of individual species is undocumented.
Similar Taxa
- HomoeonychiaSimilar body form and bristle patterns; distinguished by male genitalic structure and dorsocentral bristle arrangement
- EutrixaOverlapping morphological features; separated by abdominal bristle patterns and details of the phallus
More Details
Taxonomic history
The was established by Coquillett in 1897 with Exoristoides johnsoni as type . Two species were added by Townsend in 1934–1935, and two additional species were described by O'Hara in 2002. The genus has undergone limited revisionary study.
Species diversity
Five are currently recognized: E. blattarius, E. homoeonychioides, E. johnsoni, E. mixta, and E. sabroskyi. The is considered species-poor relative to many other Tachinidae genera.