Delayed-density-dependence

Guides

• Sarcophaga aldrichi

  Friendly Fly, Large Flesh Fly

  Sarcophaga aldrichi is a parasitoid flesh fly commonly known as the friendly fly or large flesh fly. It is a specialized parasitoid of the forest tent caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria), depositing live larvae into host cocoons where they consume the pupating caterpillars. The species exhibits distinctive delayed population dynamics, with outbreaks occurring one year after peak host caterpillar abundance. Adults are frequently encountered in large numbers during outbreak years, sometimes becoming a nuisance to humans despite being harmless.

  parasitoidbiological-controlforest-pestflesh-flydipterainvasive-species-associatepopulation-cycleslarviparitydelayed-density-dependence