Tachinidae
Guides
Ormia lineifrons
Ormia lineifrons is a multivoltine koinobiont endoparasitoid fly in the family Tachinidae. It is native to the Americas and has been studied extensively in Kentucky, USA, where it parasitizes four species of Neoconocephalus katydids in a sequential pattern across its three annual generations. The fly locates hosts by eavesdropping on male katydid mating calls, depositing first-instar larvae that develop internally and kill the host upon emergence. Its multi-species host use creates complex evolutionary dynamics with each host species exerting different selective pressures.
Ormia punctata
Ormia punctata is a tachinid fly in the tribe Ormiini, first described by Robineau-Desvoidy in 1830. The species belongs to a genus notable for its specialized parasitoid lifestyle targeting crickets and katydids. Ormiine flies possess a distinctive hearing organ adapted for locating their singing hosts. The species has been recorded from North America, though detailed biological information remains limited.
Ormia reinhardi
Ormia reinhardi is a species of tachinid fly (Diptera: Tachinidae) in the tribe Ormiini. The genus Ormia is notable for its parasitoid lifestyle, with females depositing larvae on or near singing crickets and katydids. Ormia reinhardi has been recorded from the United States and Canada. The species was described by Curtis Sabrosky in 1953.
Ormiini
Ormiini is a tribe of tachinid flies distinguished by their specialized acoustic hunting behavior. Females possess a prothoracic tympanal hearing organ that enables phonotaxis toward the calling songs of host orthopterans. They are parasitoids of crickets and bush-crickets, depositing planidial larvae on or near hosts. The tribe includes approximately seven genera distributed across multiple continents.
Oswaldia
Oswaldia is a genus of tachinid flies established by Robineau-Desvoidy in 1863. The genus comprises approximately 20 described species distributed across the Holarctic region. As members of the family Tachinidae, these flies are parasitoids, though specific host associations for most Oswaldia species remain poorly documented. The genus is classified within the tribe Blondeliini, subfamily Exoristinae.
Panzeria
Panzeria is a genus of tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae) in the tribe Ernestiini, containing approximately 80 described species distributed across the Holarctic region. Species within this genus are parasitoids, with at least one species, Panzeria ampelus, documented as an occasional parasitoid of agricultural pest Lepidoptera. The genus was established by Robineau-Desvoidy in 1830 and includes species described by numerous dipteran taxonomists across the 19th and 20th centuries.
Panzeria ampelus
Panzeria ampelus is a tachinid fly (Diptera: Tachinidae) distributed in North America. It has been documented as an occasional parasitoid of the bertha armyworm (Mamestra configurata) in western Canada. The immature stages of this species have been described and illustrated.
Paracraspedothrix
Paracraspedothrix is a genus of tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae) described by Villeneuve in 1920. The genus contains two described species: Paracraspedothrix angulicornis and Paracraspedothrix montivaga. Its taxonomic status is marked as doubtful in some databases, and it has been treated as a synonym in Catalogue of Life. Records indicate presence in Scandinavia.
Paracraspedothrix angulicornis
Paracraspedothrix angulicornis is a tachinid fly species described by Curran in 1930. The species has been transferred to the genus Chaetostigmoptera by some taxonomic treatments, creating a synonym relationship. Records indicate extremely limited documentation, with only a single observation recorded in iNaturalist. As with other tachinid flies, it is presumed to be a parasitoid, though specific host associations remain undocumented.
Paradejeania rutilioides nigrescens
Spiny Tachinid Fly, Hedgehog Fly
Paradejeania rutilioides nigrescens is a subspecies of the spiny tachinid fly, a large, robust parasitoid fly in the family Tachinidae. It is distinguished from the nominate subspecies by darker coloration. The species is known from western North America, where adults are active in late summer and fall, commonly visiting flowers of rabbitbrush and other late-season blooms. Like other tachinids, it parasitizes caterpillars, with documented hosts including tiger moths in the family Erebidae.
Paradidyma
Paradidyma is a genus of tachinid flies established in 1891. The genus contains approximately 35 described species distributed primarily in the Americas, from the United States through Central America and into South America. Species have been described by multiple dipterists including Reinhard, Townsend, and Curran. As members of the Tachinidae, these flies are parasitoids, though specific host associations for most Paradidyma species remain undocumented.
Paradidyma affinis
bristle fly
Paradidyma affinis is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae, described by Reinhard in 1934. The species is recorded from North America, with distribution spanning Canada, the United States, and Mexico. As a tachinid fly, it is presumed to be a parasitoid, though specific host relationships and detailed biology remain poorly documented.
Paradidyma apicalis
Paradidyma apicalis is a species of tachinid fly (Diptera: Tachinidae) described by Reinhard in 1934. It belongs to the subfamily Tachininae and tribe Minthoini. The genus Paradidyma is part of a diverse group of parasitoid flies that attack various insect hosts. This species is recorded from North America.
Paradidyma bicincta
Paradidyma bicincta 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 described by Reinhard in 1934. Like other tachinid flies, it likely parasitizes other insects, though specific host records for this species remain undocumented. It is found in North America, specifically in the United States and Mexico.
Paradidyma conica
Paradidyma conica is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae, first described by Townsend in 1891. It belongs to the tribe Minthoini within the subfamily Tachininae. The species is known from North America, with records from the United States. As a tachinid fly, it is presumed to be a parasitoid, though specific host associations for this species have not been documented in the available literature.
Pararchytas
Pararchytas is a genus of tachinid flies comprising three described species: P. apache, P. decisus, and P. hammondi. These flies are parasitoids, a characteristic trait of the family Tachinidae. The genus was established by Brauer and Bergenstamm in 1894 and is classified within the subfamily Tachininae and tribe Tachinini. Observations of this genus remain relatively scarce, with under 100 documented records on iNaturalist.
Parasetigena
Parasetigena is a genus of tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae) containing at least two described species: P. silvestris and P. takaoi. Species in this genus are larval parasitoids, with P. silvestris documented as a specialized parasitoid of gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) larvae. These flies contribute to natural biological control of forest lepidopteran pests. The genus has been recorded from northern Europe (Denmark, Norway, Sweden) and is associated with woodland habitats where host larvae occur.
Parepalpus
Parepalpus is a genus of tachinid flies established by Coquillett in 1902. The genus contains six described species distributed across the Americas. As members of the family Tachinidae, these flies are parasitoids, though specific host associations for Parepalpus species remain poorly documented. The genus is classified within the subfamily Tachininae and tribe Tachinini.
Parepalpus flavidus
Parepalpus flavidus is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae, described by Coquillett in 1902. It is known from North America. As a tachinid fly, it is likely a parasitoid, though specific host records for this species are not documented in the provided sources.
Patelloa
Patelloa is a genus of tachinid flies established by Townsend in 1916. At least 17 species are recognized, distributed primarily in North America. One well-studied species, P. pachypyga, is a larval parasitoid of the forest tent caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria) and uses host-damaged foliage as a kairomone cue for host location.
Patelloa pachypyga
Patelloa pachypyga is a tachinid fly and a principal larval parasitoid of the forest tent caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria) in Canada. The species locates hosts using olfactory cues, including volatiles from host frass and specific host plant species. It has been documented to preferentially locate hosts on aspen poplar (Populus tremuloides) compared to balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera).
Peleteria
Peleteria is a widespread genus of tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae) comprising approximately 100 described species distributed across multiple continents. Members of this genus are larval endoparasitoids of various insect hosts, including caterpillars and other herbivorous insects. The genus is taxonomically divided into several subgenera based on morphological characters. Peleteria species contribute to natural biological control of agricultural and forest pests.
Peleteria iterans
Peleteria iterans is a tachinid fly species native to North America. As a parasitoid, its larvae develop inside and consume host insects, typically killing them in the process. Adult females have been observed visiting flowers, including lavender, where they feed on nectar and may search for hosts. The species belongs to a genus characterized by distinctive bristle patterns near the eyes.
Phasia
Phasia is a genus of tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae) containing approximately 100 described species worldwide. Species are parasitoids of adult true bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera), particularly members of families Miridae and Pentatomidae. The genus was comprehensively revised in 2002, with six species-groups defined and 31 new species described from the Palearctic, Oriental, Afrotropical, and Australasian regions. Several genera previously treated as distinct have been synonymized with Phasia.
Phasia aldrichii
Phasia aldrichii is a small tachinid fly (3–5 mm body length) distributed across most of North America, with additional records in Europe and Asia. The species was described by Townsend in 1891 and later synonymized with Phasia karczewskii. As a member of the genus Phasia, it belongs to a diverse group of parasitoid flies whose larvae develop inside other insects.
Phasia aurulans
Phasia aurulans is a tachinid fly (Diptera: Tachinidae) distributed across the Holarctic region, with records from North America, Europe, and Asia. Adults measure 7–9 mm in body length. As a member of the subfamily Phasiinae, it is a parasitoid of true bugs (Hemiptera). The species was revised in a 2002 systematic treatment of the genus Phasia, which synonymized P. splendida and P. meliceris under this name.
Phasia chilensis
Phasia chilensis is a tachinid fly in the genus Phasia, a large and taxonomically complex group of parasitoid flies. The species was originally described as Hyalomya chilensis by Macquart in 1851 and has undergone significant taxonomic revision, with four junior synonyms recently synonymized under it. As a member of the Phasiinae subfamily, it likely functions as a parasitoid of true bugs (Hemiptera), though specific host records for this species require confirmation from the primary literature. The genus Phasia exhibits substantial morphological diversity and has a broad distribution across multiple continents.
Phasiinae
bug-killing flies
Phasiinae is a subfamily of tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae) comprising endoparasitoid species that primarily attack Heteroptera (true bugs). Members are commonly known as "bug-killing flies" and include important biological control agents of agricultural pests. The subfamily contains multiple tribes including Phasiini, Gymnosomatini, Trichopodini, Strongygastrini, and Parerigonini. Most species possess specialized adaptations for parasitoid life, including piercing structures for direct egg insertion into host tissues.
Phasiini
Phasiini is a tribe of tachinid flies (family Tachinidae) within the subfamily Phasiinae. Phylogenetic research has substantially revised its circumscription, with most historically assigned genera transferred to other tribes. The tribe currently comprises two genera: Elomya and Phasia. Members are parasitoid flies, with larvae developing inside other insects.
Phryxe vulgaris
Phryxe vulgaris is a species of tachinid fly distributed across a broad geographic range spanning North America, Europe, and Asia. As a member of the family Tachinidae, it is a parasitoid fly, though specific host relationships for this species are not well documented in the available literature. The species was first described by Fallén in 1810 under the basionym Tachina vulgaris.
Phyllophilopsis
Phyllophilopsis is a genus of tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae) established by Townsend in 1915. The genus contains at least 16 described species distributed primarily in the Neotropical region. Species have been recorded from various localities including Mexico, Central America, and South America. As members of the tribe Blondeliini, these flies are parasitoids, though specific host associations remain poorly documented.
Phyllophilopsis nitens
Phyllophilopsis nitens is a species of bristle fly (Diptera: Tachinidae) first described by Coquillett in 1899. Originally placed in the genus Chaetona, it was later transferred to Phyllophilopsis. The species is distributed across North America, with records from both Canada and the United States. As a member of the Tachinidae family, it is a parasitoid fly, though specific host relationships and detailed biology remain poorly documented.
Phytomyptera tarsalis
Phytomyptera tarsalis is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae. It belongs to the subfamily Tachininae and tribe Graphogastrini. The species was described by Daniel William Coquillett in 1895. As a tachinid fly, it is likely an endoparasitoid of other insects, though specific host records for this species have not been documented in the provided sources.
Plagiomima
Plagiomima is a genus of tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae) in the tribe Voriini, subfamily Dexiinae. The genus was described by Brauer and Bergenstamm in 1891. It contains approximately 13 described species distributed primarily in the Americas, with most species described by Aldrich in 1926 and Reinhard in the mid-20th century. As with other tachinids, members of this genus are likely parasitoids, though specific host associations remain poorly documented.
Platymya
Platymya is a genus of tachinid flies (family Tachinidae) established by Robineau-Desvoidy in 1830. The genus contains four recognized species distributed in the Holarctic region. As members of the tribe Goniini, these flies are parasitoids, though specific host associations for most species remain poorly documented.
Prosena
Prosena is a genus of tachinid flies (family Tachinidae) within the tribe Dexiini. The genus comprises approximately 30 described species distributed across multiple continents. As with other tachinids, members of this genus are parasitoids, though specific host associations remain largely undocumented in published literature. The genus was established by Le Peletier and Audinet-Serville in 1828.
Prosenoides
Prosenoides is a genus of tachinid flies established by Brauer and Bergenstamm in 1891. The genus comprises 12 described species distributed across the Americas. As members of the Dexiini tribe, these flies are parasitoids, though specific host records for most Prosenoides species remain poorly documented.
Protodejeania echinata
Protodejeania echinata is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae, a family of parasitoid flies commonly known as tachinid flies. The species is known from North America. Like other tachinids, it is presumed to be a parasitoid, though specific host records for this species appear to be limited in the available literature.
Rhachoepalpus
Rhachoepalpus is a genus of tachinid flies described by Townsend in 1908. The genus comprises approximately 18 described species distributed primarily in the Neotropical region, with records from South America including Argentina, Peru, and Brazil. Species were described across several decades, with notable contributions by Townsend (1908–1935), Macquart (1844–1846), and Curran (1947). As members of Tachinidae, these flies are presumably parasitoids, though specific host relationships remain undocumented in available sources.
Siphona
Siphona is a genus of tachinid flies (family Tachinidae) established by Meigen in 1803. The genus contains numerous species distributed across Europe, North America, and other regions. Taxonomic relationships within Siphona remain complex, with subgenera such as Aphantorhaphopsis and Ceranthia sometimes treated as distinct genera by European workers. Species within Siphona are parasitoids, with documented associations including Siphona geniculata as a parasite of crane fly larvae (Tipula paludosa).
Siphonini
Siphonini is a tribe of tachinid flies within the family Tachinidae, subfamily Tachininae. The tribe comprises approximately 19 genera, including the type genus Siphona Meigen, 1803. Members are parasitoid flies, with larvae that develop within host insects. The tribe has been documented across multiple continents based on iNaturalist observations.
Siphosturmia
Siphosturmia is a genus of tachinid flies established by Coquillett in 1897. The genus comprises eleven described species distributed across the Americas. At least one species, S. rafaeli, has been documented as a parasitoid of lepidopteran larvae, specifically Diatraea saccharalis. Like other tachinids, members of this genus are presumed to be parasitoids of arthropods, though species-level biological data remain sparse.
Siphosturmia phyciodis
Siphosturmia phyciodis is a species of tachinid fly described by Coquillett in 1897. It belongs to the tribe Eryciini within the subfamily Exoristinae. The species is known from North America. As a member of Tachinidae, it is likely a parasitoid, though specific host records require verification.
Smidtia
Smidtia is a genus of tachinid flies established by Robineau-Desvoidy in 1830. The genus comprises approximately 22 described species distributed across the Palearctic region, with particularly strong representation in East Asia, Europe, and southern Africa. Species have been documented from Scandinavia, Russia, Japan, China, and South Africa. As members of the tribe Winthemiini, these flies are parasitoids, though specific host associations remain poorly documented for most species.
Smidtia fumiferanae
Smidtia fumiferanae is a tachinid fly species described by Tothill in 1912. It belongs to the tribe Winthemiini within the subfamily Exoristinae. The species epithet 'fumiferanae' indicates an association with Choristoneura fumiferana, the spruce budworm, suggesting it may be a parasitoid of this economically important forest pest. The species has been recorded in GBIF with limited observation data.
Spallanzania
Spallanzania is a genus of tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae) established by Robineau-Desvoidy in 1830. The genus comprises approximately 15 described species distributed across multiple continents. As members of the subfamily Exoristinae and tribe Goniini, these flies are parasitoids, though specific host associations remain poorly documented for most species. The genus name has been occasionally confused with the mantis species Ameles spallanzania, which is taxonomically unrelated.
Spathidexia
Spathidexia is a New World genus of tachinid flies in the tribe Thelairini, characterized by females possessing a blade-like ovipositor (from Latin 'spatha', sword). The genus contains approximately 24 nominal species distributed across the Americas, with seven species north of Mexico and 12 in the Neotropics showing minimal geographic overlap. All species studied from Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Costa Rica are parasitoids of caterpillars in Nymphalidae (Satyrinae) and Hesperiidae (Hesperiinae) that feed on monocots. Males and females exhibit sexual dimorphism in orbital bristles and abdominal coloration patterns.
Strongygaster
Strongygaster is a genus of tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae) comprising at least 10 described species distributed across the Americas. The genus is notable for its parasitoid lifestyle, with adults attacking a broad range of arthropod hosts. Strongygaster triangulifera is the most extensively studied species, documented as a parasitoid of adult Coleoptera across multiple families, with additional records from Hemiptera, Dermaptera, Orthoptera, and Lepidoptera. The genus has been reported from North, Central, and South America.
Strongygaster triangulifera
bristle fly
Strongygaster triangulifera is a small parasitic tachinid fly widely distributed across North America. It is a generalist parasitoid that primarily attacks adult Coleoptera, with documented hosts in at least 10 beetle families including Coccinellidae, Chrysomelidae, Curculionidae, and Scarabaeidae. Records also exist from Dermaptera, Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, and Orthoptera. The species has been observed parasitizing both native and invasive insect species, including the multicolored Asian lady beetle (Harmonia axyridis) and the kudzu bug (Megacopta cribraria).
Strongygastrini
Strongygastrini is a tribe of tachinid flies within the subfamily Phasiinae. The tribe comprises six recognized genera: Arcona, Melastrongygaster, Opesia, Rondaniooestrus, Strongygaster, and Vanderwulpella. Members are parasitoid flies, though specific host associations remain poorly documented for most genera. The tribe has been recorded across multiple continents with approximately 500 iNaturalist observations.