Parasitic Flies
Tachinidae
Scientific Names
Actia interrupta (Curran), Nilea erecta (Coquillett) and Hemisturmia parva (Bigot)
Identification
Eggs:
- White
- Oval
- Laid directly on the host or directly into the host, singly or in groups
Larvae:
- Feed internally within hosts and have a maggot-like appearance
Pupae:
- Found outside the body of the host
- They are brown, elongate, and lack any obvious external features
- Exit holes may be found on the body of the host insect
Adults:
- Medium to large flies, similar in appearance to houseflies but covered with prominent bristles
Often Confused With
Houseflies – Adult parasitic flies are similar in appearance to houseflies but covered with prominent bristles.
Interaction With Host
Tachinids overwinter as pupae in leaf litter. Adults emerge in spring and mated females lay eggs on the back of hosts. Development occurs within the parasitized larva. Mature tachinid larvae exit the host to pupate.
Insects Attacked
Tachinid flies as a group have a very large host range that includes many caterpillar pests; beetles; bees, wasps and sawflies; stink bugs; and grasshoppers.
Monitoring and Management
Monitoring for tachinids is not a normal routine practice during scouting.
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