Tachinidae
Guides
Hemyda aurata
Hemyda aurata is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae, first described by Robineau-Desvoidy in 1830. The species is distributed across North America including Canada, the United States, and Mexico. As a tachinid fly, it likely functions as a parasitoid, though specific host relationships have not been documented in the available sources. The species is represented by 239 observations on iNaturalist, indicating it is encountered with moderate frequency.
Homalactia
Homalactia is a genus of tachinid flies (family Tachinidae) described by Townsend in 1915. The genus contains at least one described species, H. harringtoni, originally described by Coquillett in 1902. Tachinid flies in this group are parasitoids, though specific host relationships for Homalactia remain poorly documented. The genus occurs in northern North America.
Homalactia harringtoni
A tachinid fly species in the family Tachinidae, originally described by Coquillett in 1902. The species has been reclassified from the genus Lypha to Homalactia based on taxonomic revisions. Tachinidae are a large family of parasitoid flies whose larvae develop inside other insects.
Hubneria estigmenensis
Hubneria estigmenensis is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae. It is recorded from the United States and Canada, with specific occurrence data from Vermont. The species was described by Sellers in 1943.
Hyphantrophaga
Hyphantrophaga is a genus of tachinid flies in the tribe Goniini, subfamily Exoristinae, containing 46 valid species. The genus is notable for a major taxonomic revision in 2019 that described 22 new species from Costa Rica and synonymized five previously recognized genera. Species in this genus are parasitoids of caterpillars across a broad range of lepidopteran families.
Hyphantrophaga virilis
Hyphantrophaga virilis is a tachinid fly (family Tachinidae) known to parasitize caterpillars of the California Oak Moth (Phryganidia californica). The species was described in 1924 and occurs in North America. Like other tachinid flies, it develops as an internal parasitoid, eventually killing its host. Records indicate it is one of several parasitoids associated with oak moth population dynamics along the California coast and in Oregon.
Hypovoria
Hypovoria is a genus of tachinid flies in the tribe Voriini, subfamily Dexiinae. The genus was established by Villeneuve in 1912 and currently includes five described species. It is distributed across northern Europe, with records from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. As with other tachinid flies, members of this genus are parasitoids, though specific host associations remain poorly documented.
Hypovoria discalis
Hypovoria discalis is a species of tachinid fly described by Brooks in 1945. Originally described under the genus Catalinovoria, it was later transferred to Hypovoria. As a member of the family Tachinidae, it is a parasitoid fly, though specific host associations and biological details remain poorly documented. The species is known to occur across North America from Canada through the United States to Mexico.
Icelia
Icelia is a genus of tachinid flies established by Robineau-Desvoidy in 1830. The genus comprises five described species distributed across the Americas. Members of this genus are parasitoid flies, placing them within the diverse guild of Tachinidae that serve as biological control agents. The genus is the type genus of the tribe Iceliini within the subfamily Tachininae.
Icelia triquetra
Icelia triquetra is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae. It belongs to the tribe Iceliini within the subfamily Tachininae. The species was described by Olivier in 1811. It is known from a limited number of observations and records.
Istocheta aldrichi
Winsome Fly
Istocheta aldrichi is a tachinid fly native to Japan that was introduced to North America in 1922 as a biological control agent against the invasive Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica). The species has established throughout northeastern North America and has recently expanded its range into Quebec, Ontario, and the Midwest United States. It is a highly host-specific parasitoid that deposits large white macrotype eggs on the pronotum of adult Japanese beetles, with larvae developing internally and causing host death within 5–7 days of egg hatch. Recent studies demonstrate parasitism rates of 15–60% in some areas, making it an important natural enemy for integrated pest management.
Jurinia
Jurinia is a genus of tachinid flies established by Robineau-Desvoidy in 1830. The genus comprises approximately 13 described species distributed primarily in the Neotropical region. As members of the Tachinidae family, these flies are parasitoids whose larvae develop within other insects. The genus has been subject to taxonomic revision, with several species transferred from other genera.
Juriniopsis adusta
Juriniopsis adusta is a species of tachinid bristle fly found across North America. It is a common and widespread member of the family Tachinidae, frequently observed visiting flowers of Ericameria nauseosa (rubber rabbitbrush) in the western United States. The species is one of the most frequently encountered tachinids in this habitat, often appearing in large numbers during late summer and early fall. Its broad distribution spans from southern Canada through the United States and into Mexico, Central America, and northern South America.
Juriniopsis aurifrons
Juriniopsis aurifrons is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae, first described by Brooks in 1949. The species is known from the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other tachinid flies, it is likely a parasitoid, though specific host records remain undocumented. Adults have been observed visiting flowers, particularly those of rubber rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa).
Kirbya
Kirbya is a genus of tachinid flies (family Tachinidae) established by Robineau-Desvoidy in 1830. The genus contains at least nine recognized species distributed across four subgenera, with records from North America, Europe, and Central Asia. As members of the tribe Voriini, these flies are parasitoids, though specific host associations remain poorly documented for most species.
Kirbya setosa
Kirbya setosa is a tachinid fly species described by Townsend in 1915. Tachinidae are parasitoid flies whose larvae develop within or on other insects, though the specific hosts of K. setosa remain undocumented. The species is recorded from the United States and Mexico. Beyond its taxonomic placement and geographic distribution, published information on this species is extremely limited.
Leschenaultia
Leschenaultia is a genus of tachinid flies comprising approximately 35 described species distributed across the New World, from Canada to Argentina. Species in this genus are parasitoids of Lepidoptera, with documented hosts spanning at least seven families including Lasiocampidae, Erebidae, Noctuidae, and Saturniidae. The genus has been studied primarily for its role in biological control of forest tent caterpillar and other caterpillar pests. Female flies locate hosts using volatile cues from damaged plants and host frass, with oviposition strategies varying between macrotype eggs deposited directly on host integument and microtype eggs placed on foliage.
Leschenaultia bicolor
Leschenaultia bicolor is a tachinid fly parasitoid that attacks lepidopteran caterpillars. Females deposit microtype eggs on leaves, which are ingested by host caterpillars during feeding. The species has been recorded from multiple Halysidota species (Erebidae) and is distributed across the New World from Canada to Argentina. A 2020 study provided the first description and illustration of male and female terminalia for this species.
Leschenaultia halisidotae
Leschenaultia halisidotae is a bristle fly species in the family Tachinidae, described by Brooks in 1947. It is a parasitoid of tiger moth caterpillars in the genera Halysidota and Lophocampa. The species is distributed across North America from Canada through the United States to Mexico. As a tachinid fly, it plays a role in regulating populations of its moth hosts through larval parasitism.
Leskia
Leskia is a genus of tachinid flies established by Robineau-Desvoidy in 1830. The genus contains approximately 40 described species distributed across multiple continents. As members of the tribe Leskiini, these flies are parasitoids, though specific host associations remain poorly documented for most species. The genus exhibits considerable diversity in the Afrotropical region, with multiple species described by Emden in 1960.
Lespesia
Lespesia is a genus of tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae) distributed from Canada to Chile, with approximately 37 species in the Neotropical Region. Species are endoparasitoids of Lepidoptera caterpillars, with some records from sawfly larvae. The genus includes economically significant species such as L. archippivora, a major parasitoid of monarch butterfly larvae documented through extensive citizen science monitoring.
Lespesia samiae
Lespesia samiae is a species of tachinid fly in the family Tachinidae. It belongs to the genus Lespesia, which includes parasitoid flies that attack lepidopteran caterpillars. The species was described by Webber in 1930 and is known to occur in North America. Like other members of its genus, it likely functions as an internal parasitoid of moth or butterfly larvae, though specific host records for this species are not well documented in the provided sources.
Loewia foeda
Loewia foeda is a tachinid fly native to Europe that was first recorded in North America in 1972 from two localities in New York State, where it has become established. The species is a parasitoid of centipedes in the genus Lithobius. Adults have been redescribed and figured based on specimens from the introduced North American population.
Lydina
Lydina is a genus of tachinid flies established by Robineau-Desvoidy in 1830. The genus contains six recognized species distributed across the Holarctic region, including Europe, North America, and East Asia. Members of this genus are parasitoid flies, a characteristic trait of the family Tachinidae.
Macromya crocata
Macromya crocata is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae. It belongs to the tribe Nemoraeini and was described by Reinhard in 1968. The species is found in North America, where it occurs in forested habitats. Like other tachinid flies, it is a parasitoid, though specific host records for this species remain undocumented. Adults are active during late summer and fall, often observed visiting flowers for nectar.
Masiphya
Masiphya is a genus of tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae) established by Brauer & Bergenstamm in 1891. The genus contains at least ten described species distributed across the Americas. One species, M. confusa, has been documented as a parasitoid of the Carolina mantis (Stagmomantis carolina), with field parasitization rates exceeding 80% in some populations. The genus name Masiphya manteophaga refers to its association with mantid hosts.
Mauromyia
Mauromyia is a genus of tachinid flies established by Coquillett in 1897. The genus contains six described species distributed in North America. As with other Tachinidae, members are parasitoid flies, though specific host relationships for most species remain undocumented. The genus is characterized by distinctive morphological features in the male terminalia.
Medina
Medina is a genus of tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae) in the tribe Blondeliini, subfamily Exoristinae. Established by Robineau-Desvoidy in 1830, this genus comprises parasitoid flies whose larvae develop inside other insects. The genus is distributed across parts of Europe, with records from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Like other tachinids, Medina species are likely important biological control agents, though specific details about host associations and biology remain poorly documented in available literature.
Megapariopsis opaca
Megapariopsis opaca is a species of tachinid fly described by Daniel William Coquillett in 1899. The species is known from Florida, with body length recorded at 8.5 mm. As a member of the Tachinidae family, it is a parasitoid fly, though specific host relationships remain undocumented. The genus Megapariopsis is poorly studied, with limited biological information available for most species.
Meigenielloides cinereus
Meigenielloides cinereus is a species of tachinid fly in the family Tachinidae, described by Townsend in 1919. Tachinid flies are parasitoids, with larvae that develop inside or on other insects. The genus Meigenielloides is named after the German dipterist Johann Wilhelm Meigen. No specific biological information is available for this species.
Melanophrys
Melanophrys is a genus of tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae) established by Williston in 1886. The genus contains two described species: Melanophrys flavipennis Williston, 1886 and Melanophrys insolita (Walker, 1853). Tachinidae are a large family of parasitoid flies whose larvae develop within or upon other arthropods.
Melanophrys flavipennis
Melanophrys flavipennis is a species of tachinid fly (family Tachinidae) described by Williston in 1886. The genus name "Melanophrys" derives from Greek roots meaning "black-browed," while the specific epithet "flavipennis" refers to yellow wings. As a tachinid, it is a parasitoid fly whose larvae develop inside other insects. The species is known from North America, though detailed biological information remains sparse.
Meledonus californicus
Meledonus californicus is a species of tachinid fly described by Coquillett in 1895. The genus Meledonus belongs to the tribe Voriini within the subfamily Dexiinae. The species is known from North America, with records from Canada and the United States. Tachinid flies in this group are generally parasitoids of other insects, though specific host associations for this species have not been documented in the available literature.
Mesomphaliini
tortoise beetles
Mesomphaliini is a tribe of tortoise beetles (Cassidinae) erected by Hope in 1840, though some authorities recognize the alternative name Stolaini (Hincks, 1952). The tribe is predominantly Neotropical, with most species occurring in the Americas. Some genera, including Chelymorpha, Stolas, and Cyrtonota, have representatives extending into Europe and Japan. Members exhibit distinctive larval behaviors including construction of exuvio-fecal shields and documented subsocial maternal care in at least some species.
Microchaetina
Microchaetina is a genus of tachinid flies in the subfamily Dexiinae, tribe Dexiini. The genus was described by Wulp in 1891 and contains nine described species. It is predominantly distributed in western and southwestern North America. Biological and host relationships remain poorly documented.
Microphthalma
Microphthalma is a genus of tachinid flies in the family Tachinidae, first described by Macquart in 1843. The genus contains approximately 16 described species distributed across multiple continents. As with other tachinids, members of this genus are parasitoid flies whose larvae develop within host insects. The genus name refers to the characteristically reduced eyes found in these flies.
Microphthalma disjuncta
bristle fly
Microphthalma disjuncta is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae. It is a parasitoid fly native to North America. As with other tachinid flies, it likely develops as a parasitoid of other insects, though specific host records for this species are not well documented in the available literature.
Mochlosoma
Mochlosoma is a genus of tachinid flies established in 1889 with M. validum as the type species. The genus comprises 18 described species, most described by Reinhard in 1958. These flies are commonly encountered in faunistic studies of the southwestern United States and Mexico, though their biology and host relationships remain poorly documented. The genus was originally described from a specimen collected in Pennsylvania.
Myiopharus
Myiopharus is a New World genus of tachinid flies containing at least 15 species north of Mexico. Species in this genus are parasitoids of chrysomelid beetles, with documented hosts including the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) and the sunflower beetle (Zygogramma exclamationis). The genus belongs to the M. dorsalis species group, characterized by distinctive morphological features in females.
Myiophasiini
Myiophasiini is a tribe of bristle flies within the family Tachinidae, subfamily Tachininae. The tribe comprises at least nine genera and approximately 18 described species. Members are parasitoid flies, though specific host associations remain poorly documented for most species.
Mystacella
Mystacella is a genus of tachinid flies established by Wulp in 1890. It comprises nine described species distributed primarily in the Neotropical region. As members of the tribe Goniini within subfamily Exoristinae, these flies are parasitoids whose larvae develop inside other insects. The genus is characterized by distinctive morphological features including facial bristle patterns.
Nemoraeini
Nemoraeini is a tribe of tachinid flies (family Tachinidae) within the subfamily Tachininae. The tribe contains approximately ten genera, including Nemoraea, Macromya, and Lasion. Members are parasitoid flies, though specific host associations remain poorly documented for most genera. The tribe has a broad distribution with records across multiple continents.
Nemorilla
Nemorilla is a genus of tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae) established by Rondani in 1856. Species within this genus are parasitoids of Lepidoptera larvae, with documented hosts including the legume pod borer (Maruca vitrata) and the box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis). At least one species, N. maculosa, has been studied for its use of herbivore-induced plant volatiles to locate hosts. The genus contains approximately 15 described species distributed across multiple continents.
Neomintho
Neomintho is a genus of tachinid flies in the tribe Euthelairini, characterized by taxonomic instability and recent revision. The genus was substantially redefined in 2024, with three genus-group names (Euthelaira, Iteuthelaira, Neominthoidea) newly synonymized under it, while Eupelecotheca was revived as a separate genus. Most species occur in the Neotropics, with only one confirmed Nearctic species, N. beckersi, described from Florida and the Cayman Islands. This species represents the first documented host association for the entire tribe, having been reared from the katydid Neoconocephalus triops.
Nimioglossa planicosta
Nimioglossa planicosta is a species of bristle fly (family Tachinidae) described by Reinhard in 1945. It belongs to the subfamily Dexiinae and tribe Dexiini. The species is known from North America, with records from Canada and the United States. As a tachinid fly, it is presumably a parasitoid, though specific host relationships remain undocumented.
Oestrophasia calva
Oestrophasia calva is a species of tachinid fly in the family Tachinidae, subfamily Dexiinae, tribe Dufouriini. The species was described by Coquillett in 1902. Tachinid flies are parasitoids, with larvae typically developing inside other insects. This species occurs in North America across Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
Oestrophasia signifera
Oestrophasia signifera is a species of tachinid fly in the subfamily Phasiinae. Members of this genus are parasitoids of true bugs (Hemiptera), though specific host records for this species are limited. The species has been documented across a broad geographic range in the Americas, from Canada through Central America.
Onychogonia
Onychogonia is a genus of tachinid flies established by Brauer & Bergenstamm in 1889. The genus belongs to the tribe Goniini within the subfamily Exoristinae. Seven species are currently recognized, distributed across northern Europe including Norway and Sweden. As with other tachinid genera, members are presumed to be parasitoids of other insects, though specific host relationships remain undocumented.
Ormia
Ormia is a genus of nocturnal tachinid flies renowned for their exceptional sound localization abilities. Females are phonotactic parasitoids that locate hosts by detecting calling songs, then deposit larvae on or near crickets and katydids. The genus has become a model system in auditory neuroscience and bioinspired engineering due to its mechanically coupled ears that achieve directional precision rivaling human hearing despite minute interaural distances. Research has focused primarily on Ormia ochracea, though multiple species have been studied for biological control applications.
Ormia brevicornis
Ormia brevicornis is a species of tachinid fly in the tribe Ormiini. It is a known parasitoid of katydids in the genus Neoconocephalus. The species was described by Townsend in 1919 and occurs in the United States. Two subspecies are recognized: O. b. brevicornis and O. b. nuttingi.