Lance-fly
Guides
Dasiops
flower bud flies, lance flies
Dasiops is a genus of lance flies (Diptera: Lonchaeidae) whose larvae are internal feeders on reproductive structures of Passifloraceae. Multiple species are significant agricultural pests of cultivated passionfruit crops in the Neotropics, causing abscission of flower buds and fruit damage. The genus serves as host for diverse hymenopterous parasitoids including Braconidae, Figitidae, Diapriidae, and Pteromalidae. One species, D. caustonae, has been investigated as a potential biological control agent for invasive Passiflora mollissima in Hawaii due to its restricted host range within subgenus Tacsonia.