[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Images\/Intro\/Quick Facts” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_module=”23371″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t
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Order: Diptera<\/span> Tachinid flies are parasites of various insect pests, including certain true bugs, beetle larvae, moths, grasshoppers, and sawflies. Adults are grey to brown flies covered with dark bristles (hairs) and a shield-like structure on top of the thorax. At 2-20 mm (1\/12-4\/5 inch) long they are about the size of a house fly. The white, flat, and oval eggs are typically laid externally on the head or thorax of the host insect. The larvae of tachinid flies are pale maggots that are not observed since they develop within a host.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb title=”Quick Facts” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_color=”#F15625″ image_icon_width=”36px” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h1″ header_text_align=”center” background_color=”#FEBD3B” custom_padding=”6%|6%|6%|6%|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2023\/09\/Adult-tachinid-fly-jpg.webp” alt=”Tachinid fly and eggs” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Adult tachinid fly on a flower. Image credits: David Cappaert, Bugwood.org<\/em> [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2023\/09\/tachinid-fly-caterpillar-host-jpg.webp” alt=”Tachinid fly and eggs” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Tachinid fly and caterpillar host. Image credits: Ansel Oommen, Bugwood.org<\/em> [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2023\/09\/tachinid-eggs-on-caterpillar-jpg.webp” alt=”Tachinid fly and eggs” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Tachinid eggs on an armyworm. Image credits: Robert J. Bauernfeind, Kansas State University, Bugwood.org<\/em> [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#F1F1F1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_padding=”|6%||6%|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_3_font_size=”26px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t Tachinid flies have four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The exact life cycle and preferred host depends on species. Adults feed on nectar and pollen. They are ectoparasites, i.e., they lay eggs outside the bodies of their prey, usually near the head. The eggs hatch almost immediately and the larvae burrow into their host. In most species, one larva develops inside one host, but some species can produce several larvae per host. The larvae of most species develop through tree instars and grow larger each molt. The host insect is eventually killed after larvae feed internally for a week or more. Mature larvae can also overwinter inside the host.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_padding=”|6%||6%|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_3_font_size=”26px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t <\/p>\n Avoiding the use of broad-spectrum insecticides will help conserve populations of beneficial insects. Diversifying crops and including pollen- and nectar-producing plants in gardens or near crops can help attract tachinid flies. Allowing aphid populations to persist in nearby areas can help provide honeydew and alternative sources of prey.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#F1F1F1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_padding=”|6%||6%|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_3_font_size=”26px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t <\/p>\n Cannon, C., M. Murray, R. Patterson, and K. Wagner. (n.d.).<\/strong> Beneficial Insects of Utah. Utah State University \u2013 Extension. Available https:\/\/extension.usu.edu\/pests\/files\/pubs\/Beneficial-Insects-of-Utah-ID-Guide.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n
Family: Tachinidae<\/p>\nDescription<\/h2>\n
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Life history and habits<\/h2>\n
Conservation<\/h2>\n
References<\/h2>\n