Tachinidae
Guides
Cylindromyia signatipennis
Cylindromyia signatipennis is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae, first described by Wulp in 1892. It belongs to the subfamily Phasiinae and tribe Cylindromyiini. The species has been documented in North and Central America.
Cylindromyiini
Cylindromyiini is a tribe of tachinid flies comprising approximately 17 genera and 200 species. These flies are parasitoids, with larvae developing inside host insects. The tribe was established by Townsend in 1912 and is classified within the subfamily Phasiinae. The genus Penthosia was formerly included but has been reassigned to the tribe Hermyini.
Cyrtophleba
Cyrtophleba is a genus of tachinid flies in the family Tachinidae, subfamily Dexiinae, tribe Voriini. The genus was established by Camillo Rondani in 1856. Tachinid flies in this group are generally parasitoids, though specific host associations for Cyrtophleba species remain poorly documented. The genus has been recorded from northern Europe including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
Cyrtophleba nitida
Cyrtophleba nitida is a species of tachinid fly in the family Tachinidae, first described by Curran in 1930. As a member of this large family of parasitoid flies, it likely shares the typical tachinid life history involving larval development within host insects. The species is known from North America, though detailed biological information remains limited in available sources.
Deopalpus
Deopalpus is a genus of tachinid flies (family Tachinidae) established by Townsend in 1908. The genus contains approximately 28 described species distributed across the Americas, with records from North America, Central America, and South America. As members of Tachinidae, these flies are parasitoids, though specific host associations for most Deopalpus species remain poorly documented. The genus is classified in the subfamily Tachininae and tribe Tachinini.
Deopalpus hirsutus
Deopalpus hirsutus is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae, described by Townsend in 1908. The species is known from North America, with records from Canada, the United States, and Mexico. As a tachinid fly, it is presumed to be a parasitoid, though specific host associations for this species remain undocumented. The genus Deopalpus is part of the diverse tribe Tachinini within the subfamily Tachininae.
Dexia
Dexia is a genus of tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae) established by Meigen in 1826. The genus belongs to the subfamily Dexiinae and tribe Dexiini. Most larvae are parasitoids of scarab beetles (Scarabaeidae), though some species attack other beetle families. The genus is distributed across Europe, with confirmed records from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
Dinera
Dinera fly
Dinera is a genus of tachinid flies established by Robineau-Desvoidy in 1830. The genus comprises approximately 24 described species distributed across the Holarctic region, with notable diversity in China. Larvae of most species are parasitoids of scarab beetles (Scarabaeidae), making this genus economically relevant for biological control of certain beetle pests.
Distichona
Distichona is a genus of tachinid flies in the family Tachinidae, subfamily Exoristinae, tribe Goniini. The genus was established by Wulp in 1890 and contains eight described species distributed across the Americas. As a member of the Tachinidae, species in this genus are presumably parasitoids, though specific host associations remain undocumented. The genus is rarely encountered, with minimal observational records available.
Distichona kansensis
Distichona kansensis is a species of tachinid fly (Diptera: Tachinidae) described by Townsend in 1892. Originally described as Olenochaeta kansensis, it was later transferred to the genus Distichona. The species is native to North America, with its type locality presumably in Kansas based on the specific epithet. Like other tachinid flies, it is likely a parasitoid, though specific host associations remain undocumented in available sources.
Drepanoglossa
Drepanoglossa is a genus of tachinid flies established by Townsend in 1891. The genus contains at least three described species, all parasitoid flies that develop within other insects. These bristle flies are part of the diverse Tachinidae family, one of the largest families of Diptera. The genus name derives from Greek roots suggesting a hooked or sickle-shaped tongue or mouthpart structure.
Eloceria nigra
Eloceria nigra is a species of tachinid fly in the family Tachinidae. The species was described by Coquillett in 1902 and is classified within the tribe Loewiini, subfamily Tachininae. Tachinid flies are parasitoids, with larvae typically developing inside other insects. The specific biology and host associations of E. nigra remain poorly documented in available literature.
Epalpus albomaculatus
Epalpus albomaculatus is a species of tachinid fly (family Tachinidae) native to North America. The species was described by Jaennicke in 1867. Like other members of its family, it is a parasitoid fly, though specific host associations for this species remain undocumented. The genus Epalpus comprises several North American species characterized by distinctive markings and bristle patterns.
Epalpus rufipes
Epalpus rufipes is a species of tachinid fly described by Brooks in 1949. It belongs to the family Tachinidae, a diverse group of parasitoid flies whose larvae develop inside other insects. The species is known to occur in North America. Specific details regarding its biology, host associations, and ecology remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Epigrimyia
Epigrimyia is a genus of tachinid flies established by Townsend in 1891. It belongs to the subfamily Phasiinae and tribe Cylindromyiini. As with other tachinids, members are presumed to be parasitoids, though specific life histories remain undocumented.
Epigrimyia polita
Epigrimyia polita is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae. It is known as a parasitoid of adult Galgupha ovalis bugs, a species of shield bug. The species was described by Townsend in 1891 and is found in the United States.
Epigrimyiini
Epigrimyiini is a small tribe of tachinid flies (family Tachinidae) within the subfamily Dexiinae. The tribe contains two genera: Epigrimyia and Beskia. Members are parasitoid flies, though specific host associations remain poorly documented. The tribe has a limited number of observations, suggesting either rarity or undercollection.
Eryciini
Eryciini is a tribe of tachinid flies comprising approximately 128 genera. The tribe serves as a repository for exoristine taxa that cannot be placed into other tribes, resulting in a polyphyletic assemblage. Members are parasitoids of Lepidoptera larvae, with documented associations to caterpillars in families Crambidae, Notodontidae, Noctuidae, Pyralidae, and Tortricidae. A new genus, Santarosamyia, was described in 2024 from Costa Rica based on specimens reared from wild-caught caterpillars.
Estheria
Estheria is a genus of tachinid flies in the family Tachinidae, established by Robineau-Desvoidy in 1830. The genus contains 18 recognized species distributed across the East Palearctic and Oriental regions, including western China, Nepal, Pakistan, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Four species were described as new to science in 2019: E. hirtinerva, E. prostata, E. tibetensis, and E. wangi. As members of Tachinidae, these flies are presumed to be parasitoids, though specific host associations for Estheria species remain undocumented in the available literature.
Estheria cinerea
Estheria cinerea is a species of tachinid fly described by Townsend in 1919. Tachinid flies are parasitoids, with larvae typically developing inside other insects. The species is recorded from Canada and the United States. Specific details about its biology and host associations remain undocumented in available sources.
Ethillini
Ethillini is a tribe of tachinid flies within the subfamily Exoristinae. The tribe comprises approximately 13 genera distributed across multiple continents. Members are parasitoid flies, with larvae developing in or on other insects. The tribe was established to accommodate genera with shared morphological characteristics related to adult head structure and male terminalia.
Euantha
Euantha is a genus of bristle flies (family Tachinidae) established by Wulp in 1885. The genus belongs to the subfamily Dexiinae and tribe Cordyligastrini. Three species are currently recognized: Euantha interrupta, E. litturata, and E. pulchra. Like other tachinid flies, members of this genus are parasitoids, though specific host associations for Euantha species remain poorly documented.
Euantha litturata
Euantha litturata is a bristle fly in the family Tachinidae, first described by Olivier in 1811. It belongs to the subfamily Dexiinae and tribe Cordyligastrini. The species has been documented in North America with specific records from the United States, Mexico, and Guatemala.
Eucelatoria
Eucelatoria is a genus of tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae) comprising approximately 70 species distributed throughout the Western Hemisphere from southern Canada to northern Argentina. The genus is characterized by distinctive reproductive morphology in females of certain species groups, notably the sword-like piercer found in the E. ferox species group. Species within this genus are parasitoids of Lepidoptera larvae, with documented host associations including Noctuidae (Helicoverpa zea, Heliothis virescens, Heliothis armigera) and Crambidae caterpillars. Several species, particularly E. bryani, have been extensively studied for their potential as biological control agents of agricultural pests.
Eulasiona
Eulasiona is a genus of tachinid flies established by Townsend in 1892. The genus currently contains 12 described species distributed primarily in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. As members of the family Tachinidae, these flies are parasitoids, though specific host associations for most Eulasiona species remain undocumented. The genus is classified in the subfamily Dexiinae and tribe Voriini.
Euptilopareia vicinalis
Euptilopareia vicinalis is a species of tachinid fly described by Reinhard in 1956. It belongs to the tribe Voriini within the subfamily Dexiinae. The genus Euptilopareia contains relatively few described species, and this species is known from North America. Like other tachinid flies, it is presumed to be a parasitoid, though specific host records for this species are not documented.
Euthera
Euthera is a small cosmopolitan genus of tachinid flies in the family Tachinidae, characterized by distinctive smoky black transverse bands on the wings. The genus contains approximately 13 described species distributed across multiple continents. Some North American taxonomic treatments place this genus within the subfamily Dexiinae. Species in this genus are parasitoids of true bugs in the family Pentatomidae.
Eutrixa exilis
Eutrixa exilis is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae, first described by Coquillett in 1895. It is found in North America, with records from Canada and the United States. As a tachinid fly, it likely serves as a parasitoid, though specific host associations remain undocumented. The species is rarely observed, with only three records documented on iNaturalist.
Exorista dydas
Exorista dydas is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae. It is known from North America, with records from Canada and the United States. As a member of the genus Exorista, it is presumed to be a parasitoid, though specific host associations for this species have not been documented in available sources. The species was first described by Walker in 1849 under the name Tachina dydas.
Exoristinae
Exoristinae is a subfamily of tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae) comprising approximately 1,000 described species across 11 tribes. Most species are parasitoids of Lepidoptera caterpillars, though some tribes exhibit host specificity for other insect orders including Orthoptera and Heteroptera. The subfamily is distributed worldwide with greatest diversity in the Neotropics. Several species have been employed in biological control programs against agricultural pests.
Exoristoides
Exoristoides is a genus of tachinid flies described by Coquillett in 1897. The genus contains five recognized species distributed across North America. As members of the tribe Polideini, these flies are parasitoids, though specific host associations remain poorly documented for most species.
Freraea montana
Freraea montana is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae. It is known to be a parasite of pupal Amara quenseli beetles. The species was described by Coquillett in 1897 and occurs in North America.
Genea aurea
Genea aurea is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae, described by James in 1947. It is known from North America, with confirmed records from the United States. As a member of Tachinidae, it is a parasitoid fly, though specific host relationships for this species remain undocumented.
Genea brevirostris
Genea brevirostris is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae, first described by James in 1947. The species is known from the United States and represents one of the less documented members of the genus Genea. As a tachinid fly, it likely functions as a parasitoid, though specific host relationships remain unverified. The specific epithet 'brevirostris' refers to a short rostrum or proboscis.
Genea pavonacea
Genea pavonacea is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae, described by Reinhard in 1939. It is found in North America. As a tachinid fly, it likely functions as a parasitoid, though specific host relationships have not been documented in the provided sources. The genus Genea is part of the diverse Tachinidae family, which contains numerous species of ecological importance as natural enemies of other insects.
Genea texensis
Genea texensis is a species of bristle fly (Diptera: Tachinidae) native to North America. Originally described as Dejeaniopalpus texensis by Townsend in 1916, it was later transferred to the genus Genea. As a member of the Tachinidae family, it is a parasitoid fly whose larvae develop inside other insects. The species is documented from 21 iNaturalist observations, indicating it is not commonly encountered.
Ginglymia
Ginglymia is a genus of tachinid flies in the tribe Leskiini, established by Townsend in 1892. The genus contains five described species distributed in North America. As a member of the Tachinidae family, species in this genus are presumed to be parasitoids, though specific host relationships remain undocumented in available literature.
Gnadochaeta metallica
Gnadochaeta metallica is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae, a group of parasitoid flies that play important roles in regulating insect populations. The species was originally described by Townsend in 1891 under the name Phasioclista metallica. It is distributed across North America, with records from Canada, the United States, and Mexico. As with other tachinid flies, it likely develops as a parasitoid of other insects, though specific host associations for this species remain poorly documented.
Gonia
Cutworm Flies
Gonia is a genus of tachinid flies (family Tachinidae) established by Meigen in 1803. These flies are parasitoids, with larvae developing inside other insects. The genus is placed in the subfamily Exoristinae and tribe Goniini. As with other tachinids, Gonia species are likely important biological control agents of various insect pests, though specific ecological details for the genus as a whole remain poorly documented in available sources.
Gonia frontosa
Gonia frontosa is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae. It was described by Thomas Say in 1829 and is found in North America. As a tachinid fly, it is a parasitoid, with larvae developing inside other insects. The species belongs to the tribe Goniini within the subfamily Exoristinae.
Gonia fuscicollis
Gonia fuscicollis is a tachinid fly species described by Tothill in 1924. It belongs to the tribe Goniini within the subfamily Exoristinae. The species is recorded from North America, specifically the United States and Canada. Like other tachinid flies, it is presumed to be a parasitoid, though specific host records for this species are not documented in the available sources.
Gonia sagax
Gonia sagax is a species of tachinid fly described by Townsend in 1892. As a member of the family Tachinidae, it is a parasitoid fly, though specific host relationships for this species remain undocumented in the available literature. The species is known to occur in the United States, with records indicating presence in North America. Like other tachinids, adults likely visit flowers for nectar, but detailed behavioral and ecological studies specific to G. sagax are lacking.
Gonia senilis
Gonia senilis is a species of tachinid fly described by Williston in 1887. Tachinid flies are parasitoids, with larvae typically developing inside other insects. This species occurs in North America, with records from the United States and Canada.
Goniini
Goniini is a tribe of tachinid flies distinguished by their unique reproductive strategy. Members are parasitoids that deposit minute "microtype" eggs, which must be ingested by a host to hatch. This egg type represents a key evolutionary adaptation within the Tachinidae family.
Goniocera
Goniocera is a genus of tachinid flies established by Brauer and Bergenstamm in 1891. It belongs to the tribe Siphonini within the subfamily Tachininae. The genus contains five described species distributed across northern Europe, including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. As with other tachinids, members of this genus are parasitoid flies, though specific host relationships remain poorly documented.
Graphogastrini
Graphogastrini is a tribe of tachinid flies within the subfamily Tachininae. The tribe comprises 16 recognized genera distributed across multiple continents. Members are parasitoid flies, though specific host associations remain poorly documented for most genera. The genus Phytomyptera, established in 1845, is among the oldest described within the tribe.
Gymnocheta
Gymnocheta is a genus of tachinid flies comprising approximately 12 described species distributed across the Palaearctic region. The genus is distinguished by metallic green coloration in some species, a trait shared with only one other European tachinid genus. Members are parasitoids of Lepidoptera, with larvae developing inside host caterpillars. The genome of G. viridis was sequenced as part of the Darwin Tree of Life Project.
Gymnocheta ruficornis
Gymnocheta ruficornis is a species of tachinid fly (Diptera: Tachinidae) described by Williston in 1886. The species epithet 'ruficornis' refers to reddish antennae. It belongs to the tribe Ernestiini within the subfamily Tachininae. Records indicate presence in North America, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Gymnoclytia
Gymnoclytia is a genus of tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae) in the tribe Phasiini. Species in this genus are endoparasitoids of true bugs (Hemiptera), with documented associations with stink bugs in agricultural systems. The genus contains approximately 14 described species distributed in the Americas.
Gymnosomatini
Gymnosomatini is a tribe of tachinid flies (family Tachinidae) comprising more than 30 genera and approximately 200 described species. These bristle flies are parasitoids, with larvae developing inside other insects. The tribe is taxonomically positioned within the subfamily Tachininae.