Tachinini

tachinid flies

Genus Guides

16

Tachinini is a tribe of bristle flies (Diptera: Tachinidae) comprising numerous . Members exhibit diverse morphological features including in some , with males of certain displaying distinctive sexual patches on abdominal tergite 5. The tribe includes important agents targeting lepidopteran pests, particularly defoliators of palm trees.

Peleteria iterans by no rights reserved, uploaded by Steve Wells. Used under a CC0 license.Adejeania by (c) Laura Gaudette, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Laura Gaudette. Used under a CC-BY license.Adejeania vexatrix by (c) Laura Gaudette, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Laura Gaudette. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Tachinini: //tækɪˈnaɪnaɪ//

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Identification

Diagnostic characters vary by ; some Neotropical genera can be distinguished using abdominal features including the presence or absence of sexual patches on tergite 5 in males. Illustrated keys exist for distinguishing similar Neotropical genera such as Xanthozona and Euepalpus.

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Distribution

; includes Neotropical with documented occurrence from Mexico through Central and South America (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname).

Life Cycle

of lepidopteran larvae; first-instar larva described for at least one (Xanthozona).

Behavior

Important of palm tree defoliators including larvae of Brassolis and Opsiphanes (Nymphalidae: Brassolini).

Ecological Role

agent for agricultural and forestry pests, particularly palm tree defoliators.

Human Relevance

Used in of palm tree pests; some serve as natural enemies of economically damaging lepidopteran larvae.

Similar Taxa

  • Other Tachinidae tribesTachinini can be distinguished by tribal-level morphological characters including specific features of male terminalia and abdominal tergite structure; sexual patches on tergite 5 occur in some Tachinini but are unusual in other tachinid tribes.

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Sources and further reading