Tachinidae
Guides
Acantholespesia
Acantholespesia is a genus of tachinid flies described by Wood in 1987. The genus contains three described species: A. comstocki, A. signata, and A. texana. Members are parasitoid flies, with A. texana documented as a parasitoid of the moth Comadia redtenbacheri. The genus belongs to the tribe Eryciini within the subfamily Exoristinae.
Acantholespesia comstocki
Acantholespesia comstocki is a tachinid fly species described by Williston in 1889. As a member of the bristle fly family Tachinidae, it functions as a parasitoid of lepidopteran larvae. Its known hosts include butterflies from three families: Hesperiidae (skippers), Megathymidae (giant skippers), and Pyralidae (snout moths). The species occurs in the United States.
Acemya
Acemya is a genus of tachinid flies (family Tachinidae) established by Robineau-Desvoidy in 1830. The genus belongs to the tribe Acemyini within the subfamily Tachininae. It includes approximately 11 described species distributed across multiple continents. As with other tachinid genera, members are presumed to be parasitoids, though specific host relationships for most species remain poorly documented.
Actia dimorpha
Actia dimorpha is a species of tachinid fly in the family Tachinidae, described by O'Hara in 1991 from specimens collected on Sapelo Island, Georgia, United States. Tachinid flies are parasitoids, with larvae typically developing inside other insects. The specific epithet "dimorpha" suggests sexual dimorphism in this species, though details of this dimorphism have not been documented in available sources. The species is known only from its type locality and has received limited study since its original description.
Actia interrupta
Actia interrupta is a tachinid fly (Diptera: Tachinidae) described by Curran in 1933. It is an endoparasitoid of lepidopteran larvae, particularly species in the genus Choristoneura including the spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana), a major forest pest in North America. The species undergoes 2-4 generations per year depending on geographic location, with its phenology closely tied to host larval availability. Research indicates it competes with other parasitoids such as the ichneumonid Tranosema rostrale within shared hosts, and may have a competitive advantage in multiparasitism situations. It has been studied as a biological control agent and can be reared through manual inoculation of host larvae with first instar maggots.
Adejeania vexatrix
Orange Bristle Fly
Adejeania vexatrix is a large, conspicuous tachinid fly of western North America, immediately recognizable by its bright orange abdomen, heavy black setae, and uniquely elongated palpi that project forward like a beak. Adults are active flower visitors from mid-summer through early autumn, with populations persisting later in southern portions of the range. This species is a known parasitoid of caterpillars, though specific host records remain undocumented.
Admontia
Admontia is a genus of tachinid flies established by Brauer & Bergenstamm in 1889. The genus contains approximately 35 described species distributed across multiple continents. As members of the family Tachinidae, these flies are parasitoids, though specific host associations for most Admontia species remain poorly documented. The genus is classified within the subfamily Exoristinae and tribe Blondeliini.
Admontia pergandei
Admontia pergandei is a species of tachinid fly in the family Tachinidae. The species was described by Coquillett in 1895 and is currently accepted as valid. Tachinid flies are parasitoids whose larvae develop inside or on other insects.
Aphria ocypterata
Aphria ocypterata is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae. It was described by Townsend in 1891. As a tachinid fly, it is presumed to be a parasitoid, though specific host records for this species are not documented. It is found in North America.
Archytas apicifer
Hornworm Tachinid Fly
Archytas apicifer is a medium to large tachinid fly (10-15 mm) native to the Nearctic region. Adults feed on flower nectar and serve as pollinators. The larvae are internal parasitoids of caterpillars, including economically significant pest species. The species was first described by Francis Walker in 1849 and is one of approximately 10,000 species in the family Tachinidae.
Archytas aterrimus
Archytas aterrimus is a species of tachinid fly in the family Tachinidae. The species was originally described as Jurinia aterrima by Robineau-Desvoidy in 1830 before being transferred to the genus Archytas. Tachinid flies in this genus are generally parasitoids of other insects. The species has been documented in field observations on flowers of Ericameria nauseosa (rubber rabbitbrush) in the southwestern United States, where it has been noted as a large, black, bristly fly occurring alongside other tachinid species.
Archytas lateralis
Archytas lateralis is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae. It is distributed across North America, including Canada, the United States, and Mexico. As a member of the Tachinidae family, it is a parasitoid fly, though specific details about its host relationships and biology remain limited in available sources.
Archytas marmoratus
marbled bristle fly
Archytas marmoratus is a tachinid bristle fly and member of the marmoratus species group. It is a larval-pupal parasitoid of noctuid moth caterpillars, particularly the corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea) and fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda). In 1986, it was successfully employed in biological control programs against the fall armyworm. The species has been used in inundative release programs, achieving parasitism rates exceeding 90% in isolated corn fields.
Archytas metallicus
Archytas metallicus is a species of tachinid fly (family Tachinidae) distributed across North America. As a member of the Tachininae subfamily, it belongs to a group of parasitoid flies whose larvae develop inside other insects. The species has been documented visiting flowers of Ericameria nauseosa (rubber rabbitbrush), where it occurs alongside other pollinators and flower-visiting insects. It is one of numerous Archytas species in the Nearctic region, many of which remain poorly studied in terms of their specific host relationships and ecological details.
Atacta
Atacta is a genus of tachinid flies established by Schiner in 1868. The genus contains four described species distributed in the Neotropical region. Like other members of the tribe Goniini, these flies are parasitoids, though specific host associations for Atacta species remain poorly documented.
Ateloglossa
Ateloglossa is a genus of tachinid flies in the tribe Dexiini, subfamily Dexiinae. The genus was established by Coquillett in 1899 and contains 14 described species distributed primarily in North America. Species are distinguished by morphological features typical of the Dexiini, including characteristics of the head and thorax. The genus has received limited study, with most species described in the early 20th century.
Athrycia
Athrycia is a genus of tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae) in the tribe Voriini. The genus contains at least five described species, with Athrycia cinerea being the most thoroughly studied. Species in this genus are larval parasitoids of Lepidoptera, with documented host associations primarily involving noctuid moths. The genus has been recorded from the Palearctic region (Denmark, Norway, Sweden) and Nearctic region (Canada).
Belvosia canadensis
Belvosia canadensis is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae, described by Curran in 1927. As a tachinid fly, it is likely an endoparasitoid of other insects, though specific host records for this species remain undocumented. The species occurs in North America, with records from both Canada and the United States.
Belvosia unifasciata
Belvosia unifasciata is a species of tachinid fly, a family of bristle flies known for their role as parasitoids of other insects. The species was first described by Robineau-Desvoidy in 1830 under the name Latreillia unifasciata. Like other members of the genus Belvosia, it is an internal parasite of caterpillars, specifically documented as a parasitoid of the White-lined Sphinx moth (Hyles lineata).
Beskia
Beskia is a genus of tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae) established by Brauer & Bergenstamm in 1889. The genus contains at least one described species, Beskia aelops. Species within this genus are distributed across the Americas from the United States through Central America to South America. Beskia aelops has been investigated for its potential as a biological control agent against the stink bug Oebalus poecilus.
Besseria atra
Besseria atra is a species of tachinid fly in the subfamily Phasiinae. It was originally described as Apinops atra by Coquillett in 1897 before being transferred to the genus Besseria. The species is known from North America and belongs to a group of parasitoid flies whose larvae develop inside other insects.
Billaea
Billaea is a genus of tachinid flies comprising approximately 80 described species. Most larvae are parasitoids of beetle larvae, particularly cerambycids and lucanids, with some species attacking lepidopteran hosts in the family Pyralidae. Several species have been investigated as biological control agents for agricultural and forestry pests, including palm weevils and sugarcane borers.
Tachinidaeparasitoidbiological-controlCerambycidaeDryophthoridaeCrambidaeviviparousplanidiaforest-pestagricultural-pestoil-palmsugarcanepalm-weevilwood-borersoutheast-AsiaSouth-AmericaEuropeBulgariaBrazilTurkeyMexicoPeruintegrated-pest-managementnatural-enemyhost-searchingkairomonessuperparasitismmass-rearingGalleria-mellonellalaboratory-hostfrassgallerytunnelpupal-parasitoidlarval-parasitoidectoparasitoidendoparasitoidColeopteraLepidopteraDipteraBrachyceraDexiinaeDexiiniRobineau-Desvoidy-183080-speciesglobal-distributionforestryagricultureornamental-palmsdate-palmcoconutRhynchophorusDiatraeaPrionusXylotrechusclimate-matchingestablishment-potentialMediterraneanMiddle-EastCaliforniainvasive-speciesred-palm-weevilAmerican-palm-weevilred-ring-diseasevector-controlnatural-mortalitypest-managementsustainable-agriculturehost-specificitytrophic-associationnew-host-recordparasitism-ratefield-parasitismlaboratory-rearingadult-longevityfecunditysex-ratiopupal-viabilitypupal-durationplanidia-lengthfood-resourcespollenhoneysucroseflowering-plantsspontaneous-floracompanion-plantshabitat-managementconservation-biological-controlaugmentative-biological-controlclassical-biological-controlquarantinehost-rangecircumstantial-evidencetaxonomic-confusionB.-rhynchophoraeB.-menezesiB.-adelphaB.-claripalpisB.-rutilansB.-cerambycivoraB.-steiniB.-fortisB.-irrorataB.-pectinataB.-setosaB.-trianguliferaB.-lataB.-intermediaB.-biserialisB.-giganteaB.-rubensB.-maritimaB.-marmorataB.-aurifronsB.-verticalisB.-flavaB.-chinensisB.-brevicaudaB.-kurahashiiB.-micronychiaB.-papeiB.-setigeraB.-yintiaolingB.-rufescensB.-triquetrusB.-rubidaB.-rufiventrisB.-brasiliensisB.-friburgensisB.-giacomeliB.-kosteraeB.-plaumanniB.-shannoniB.-africanaB.-argentaureaB.-atkinsoniB.-capensisB.-communisB.-decisaB.-edwardsiB.-erectaB.-ficorumB.-grandisB.-impigraB.-interruptaB.-kolomyetziB.-luteolaB.-malayanaB.-minorB.-monohammiB.-montanaB.-morosaB.-nipigonensisB.-orbitalisB.-ovataB.-quadrinotaB.-rhingiaeformisB.-robustaB.-satisfactaB.-sibleyiB.-sjostedtiB.-solivagaB.-trivittataB.-trochanterataB.-vanemdeniB.-velutinaB.-versicolorB.-villeneuveiB.-vitripennisB.-ziminiB.-lateralisB.-lativentrisBlondelia
Blondelia is a genus of tachinid flies established by Robineau-Desvoidy in 1830, currently comprising approximately 20 described species. As members of the tribe Blondeliini, these flies are parasitoids, with larvae developing inside other insects. The genus has been recorded across the Holarctic region, with species distributed in Europe and North America.
Blondeliini
Blondeliini is a tribe of parasitic flies within the family Tachinidae (Diptera). Members are parasitoids of other insects, with documented hosts including beetles and caterpillars. The tribe exhibits greatest diversity in the New World, particularly South America, though it occurs nearly worldwide. Several genera possess a piercing-type ovipositor, a morphological feature with phylogenetic significance within the tribe.
Bombyliomyia soror
Bombyliomyia soror is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae. It is found in North America, with recorded distribution spanning Canada, the United States, Mexico, Guatemala, and Costa Rica. As a tachinid fly, it likely functions as a parasitoid, though specific host relationships remain undocumented. The species was first described by Williston in 1886.
Calolydella lathami
bristle fly
Calolydella lathami is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae, first described by Curran in 1925. It belongs to the subfamily Exoristinae and tribe Blondeliini. The species is known from North America, with confirmed records from Canada and the United States.
Carcelia amplexa
Carcelia amplexa is a species of tachinid fly described by Coquillett in 1897. As a member of the Tachinidae family, it is a parasitoid fly, with females depositing eggs or larvae on or near host insects. The species is native to North America. Like other Carcelia species, it likely targets lepidopteran larvae as hosts, though specific host records for C. amplexa remain limited in published literature.
Catharosia
Catharosia is a genus of tachinid flies established by Rondani in 1868. The genus comprises approximately twelve described species distributed across the Holarctic region. Species within this genus are classified in the tribe Catharosiini within the subfamily Phasiinae.
Catharosia nebulosa
Catharosia nebulosa is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae. It was originally described as Sciasma nebulosa by Coquillett in 1897. The species belongs to the subfamily Phasiinae and tribe Catharosiini. As a tachinid fly, it is likely a parasitoid of other insects, though specific host relationships remain undocumented in the available literature.
Ceracia
Ceracia is a genus of bristle flies in the family Tachinidae, established by Rondani in 1865. The genus comprises approximately 13 described species distributed across multiple continents. Members of this genus are parasitoid flies, though specific host associations remain poorly documented for most species. The genus is classified within the tribe Acemyini of the subfamily Tachininae.
Ceracia dentata
Ceracia dentata is a species of tachinid fly in the tribe Acemyini. The species was described by Coquillett in 1895, originally placed in the genus Acemyia before transfer to Ceracia. It is known from North America with records spanning Canada, the United States, Mexico, and Chile. As a member of Tachinidae, it is a parasitoid fly, though specific host associations remain undocumented.
Ceromya
Ceromya is a genus of tachinid flies in the family Tachinidae, tribe Siphonini. The genus contains approximately 60 described species distributed across multiple continents. Nine species are recognized in the Nearctic region, organized into three species groups with distinct biogeographic patterns: the bicolor group (Holarctic), flaviseta group (European-Nearctic), and americana group (Neotropical-Nearctic). The genus was established by Robineau-Desvoidy in 1830.
Chaetogaedia
Chaetogaedia is a genus of tachinid flies comprising approximately 14 described species. The genus was established by Brauer & Bergenstamm in 1891 and is classified within the tribe Goniini of the subfamily Exoristinae. Species are distributed across the Americas, with records from North, Central, and South America. As with other tachinids, members are presumed to be parasitoids, though specific host associations for most species remain undocumented.
Chaetostigmoptera
Chaetostigmoptera is a genus of tachinid flies erected by Charles Howard Townsend in 1916. The genus belongs to the tribe Blondeliini within the subfamily Exoristinae. Six species have been described, ranging from 1898 to 1934. Members are parasitoid flies, though specific host records for this genus appear to be poorly documented in accessible literature.
Chetogena
Chetogena is a genus of tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae) comprising parasitoid species. Members are solitary parasitoids that attack various Lepidoptera hosts. Some species exhibit specialized reproductive behaviors, including egg retention in response to host deprivation. The genus has been studied for biological control potential against agricultural pests.
Cholomyia inaequipes
Cholomyia inaequipes is a tachinid bristle fly described by Bigot in 1884. The species is a parasitoid of weevils in the genus Conotrachelus, with documented associations to nine species including plum curculio (Conotrachelus nenuphar) and hickory curculio (Conotrachelus juglandis). It occurs across North, Central, and South America.
Chromatocera
Chromatocera is a genus of tachinid flies established by Townsend in 1915. It belongs to the tribe Polideini within the subfamily Tachininae. The genus contains three described species: Chromatocera fumator, C. harrisi, and C. setigena. Tachinid flies in this genus are parasitoids, though specific host associations for Chromatocera species remain poorly documented.
Chromatocera setigena
Chromatocera setigena is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae, first described by Coquillett in 1897. It is currently classified in the tribe Polideini, subfamily Tachininae. The species has undergone taxonomic revision, with some sources listing it under the synonym Lypha setigena. As a tachinid fly, it likely functions as a parasitoid, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Chrysops cincticornis
Ring-clawed Deer Fly
Chrysops cincticornis is a deer fly in the family Tabanidae, first described by Walker in 1848. It is commonly known as the Ring-clawed Deer Fly. The species has been documented in Vermont and other parts of the United States, with 291 observations recorded on iNaturalist. Research on this species has focused on its oviposition behavior and fecundity, with laboratory studies showing females deposit eggs in gelatinous masses on mud substrates near water, averaging 156 eggs per female.
deer-flyTabanidaeDipteramedical-entomologyovipositionfecundityring-clawed-deer-flyVermontUnited-Statesmud-substrategelatinous-egg-massChrysopsinaeChrysopsiniWalker-1848iNaturalistlaboratory-rearingegg-mass156-eggsrange-42-312near-watermud-like-substrateegg-depositionreproductionbehavioral-studymedical-entomology-researchinsect-vectorsbiting-fliestabanid-flieshorse-fliesdeer-fliesChrysopsNorth-AmericaNew-Englandobservation-recordssynonym-status-in-Catalogue-of-Lifeaccepted-status-in-GBIFarthropodinsectflyBrachyceraTabanomorphaHexapodaPterygotaAnimaliaArthropodaInsectacincticornisChrysops-cincticornis-Walker-1848Chrysops-(Chrysops)-cincticornisdeerflyhorseflytabanidbiting-flyvectoroviposition-behaviorfecundity-studyJournal-of-Medical-Entomology198210.1093/jmedent/19.5.597gelatinous-secretionmudwaterlaboratory-conditionsmean-fecundityegg-productionreproductive-biologyentomologyinsect-behaviorinsect-reproductiondipterantrue-flytwo-winged-flynematoceranCyclorrhaphaAschizaSchizophoraAcalyptrataeCalyptrataeOestroideaMuscoideaHippoboscoideaGlossinidaeCalliphoridaeSarcophagidaeMuscidaeFanniidaeAnthomyiidaeScathophagidaeOestridaeTachinidaeSiphonapteraPhthirapteraHemipteraColeopteraLepidopteraHymenopteraNeuropteraMegalopteraRaphidiopteraTrichopteraStrepsipteraMecopteraDipluraProturaCollembolaZygentomaArchaeognathaEphemeropteraOdonataPlecopteraGrylloblattodeaMantophasmatodeaPhasmatodeaOrthopteraDermapteraEmbiopteraZorapteraIsopteraBlattodeaMantodeaPhyllodocidaNotopteraWalker1848speciestaxongelatinoushabitatdistributionGBIFCatalogue-of-LifeNCBIlaboratory-studybehaviorlife-cyclesubstratemud-likemeanrange42-312femaleobservationrecordspecimencollectionmuseumresearchstudyarticleabstractDOIbiologyecologyhorse-flyacceptedsynonymtaxonomyclassificationUS291-observationslaboratory291-iNaturalist-observationsGBIF-distribution-recordsaccepted-species-statussynonym-in-Catalogue-of-Life156-eggs-mean-fecundityrange-42-312-eggs1982-Journal-of-Medical-Entomology-publicationDOI-10.1093/jmedent/19.5.597entomology-researchdipteran-biologyClairvillia
Clairvillia is a genus of tachinid flies established by Robineau-Desvoidy in 1830. The genus belongs to the subfamily Phasiinae and tribe Leucostomatini. Seven species are currently recognized, distributed primarily in the Nearctic region. Like other tachinids, members of this genus are parasitoids, though specific host associations remain poorly documented.
Clairvillia timberlakei
Clairvillia timberlakei is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae, originally described by Walton in 1914 under the basionym Dionaea timberlakei. It belongs to the subfamily Phasiinae and tribe Leucostomatini. The species is documented from North America, with records from Canada and the United States. As a tachinid fly, it is presumed to be a parasitoid, though specific host associations remain unverified.
Clausicella
Clausicella is a genus of tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae) established by Rondani in 1856. The genus contains at least 18 described species distributed across the Americas, with records from North America through South America. As members of the tribe Leskiini within subfamily Tachininae, these flies are parasitoids, though specific host associations remain poorly documented for most species.
Clausicella floridensis
Clausicella floridensis is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae, a group of parasitoid flies. The species was described by Townsend in 1892. It occurs in North America, with records from Canada and the United States. As a tachinid, it likely parasitizes other insects, though specific host relationships remain undocumented.
Cordyligaster septentrionalis
Cordyligaster septentrionalis is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae, described by Townsend in 1909. It is recorded from North America, with observational data indicating presence across the United States. As a tachinid fly, it likely functions as a parasitoid, though specific host associations for this species remain undocumented in the available literature.
Crocinosoma
Crocinosoma is a genus of tachinid flies established by Reinhard in 1947. The genus belongs to the tribe Leskiini within the subfamily Tachininae. Two species have been described: C. cornuale and C. cornualis, both authored by Reinhard in the same year. As with other tachinid flies, members of this genus are presumably parasitoids, though specific host relationships remain undocumented.
Cryptomeigenia
Cryptomeigenia is a genus of tachinid flies comprising 17 described species. Members are parasitoids of adult scarab beetles, with documented host specificity to Phyllophaga rufotestacea in at least one studied population. The genus was established by Brauer & Bergenstamm in 1891 and is classified within the tribe Blondeliini.
Cryptomeigenia illinoiensis
Cryptomeigenia illinoiensis is a species of tachinid fly in the family Tachinidae. The species was described by Townsend in 1892 and is currently accepted in taxonomic databases. As a member of the subfamily Exoristinae and tribe Blondeliini, it belongs to a group of parasitoid flies that develop in or on other insects. The genus Cryptomeigenia contains species that are known parasitoids of various insect hosts.
Cylindromyia fumipennis
smoky-winged beetle bandit
Cylindromyia fumipennis is a tachinid fly species in the family Tachinidae. The available sources provide primarily taxonomic information rather than detailed biological data. The species name 'fumipennis' (smoky-winged) suggests distinctive wing coloration. The species is recorded from North America.
Cylindromyia intermedia
Cylindromyia intermedia is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae, first described by Meigen in 1824. It is a parasitoid fly, meaning females deposit eggs on or near hosts, with larvae developing as internal parasites of other insects. The species has a notably broad distribution spanning North America and large portions of Eurasia.
Cylindromyia interrupta
Cylindromyia interrupta is a small tachinid fly, 6–8 mm in length with a wingspan of 12 mm. It is a parasitoid whose larvae develop inside living hosts, specifically moths and true bugs (Hemiptera). Adults are active from May to August and feed primarily on nectar and pollen of Apiaceae, especially Leucanthemum vulgare. The species is distinguished by its slender body with black thorax, reddish abdomen bearing two silver rings, a wide longitudinal black marking, and black apical tergites.