[x]

Browse More Like This

Shop Similar Prints
This Print Not Available more ▶

More from ~Cristian-M

View Gallery · View Prints

Featured in Groups:

Not currently featured in any groups.

Details

Submitted: November 25, 2008
Image Size: 5.8 MB
Resolution: 3939×3030

Link

Thumb

Statistics

Comments: 7
Favourites: 12 [who?]
Views: 169 (0 today)

Camera Data

Make:Canon
Model:Canon EOS 40D
Shutter Speed:1/332 second
Aperture:F/9.0
Focal Length:105 mm
ISO Speed:200
Date Taken:Nov 8, 2008, 10:59:15 AM

Shop For This Camera

[x]

Tachinid Fly 40D0030613by ~Cristian-M

Photography / Macro / Nature

Tachinid Fly (Pararchytas decisus)

Tachinidae is a large and rather variable family of true flies within the insect order Diptera, with more than 8,200 known species and many more to be discovered. There are over 1300 species in North America. Insects in this family are commonly called tachina flies, or simply "tachinids". They occur in almost all habitats all over the world.

A typical characteristic of this family is the fact that most of them are parasitoids (the larvae develop inside a living host, ultimately killing it), and a few are parasitic (do not kill the host). Larvae are endoparasites (internal parasites) of caterpillars of butterflies and moths, adult and larval beetles, sawfly larvae, various types of true bugs and grasshoppers, rarely in centipedes, with usually only one grub. Some species are being used in biological pest control. Many species of tachinid flies have been introduced into North America from their native lands as biocontrols to suppress populations of alien pests.

Tachinid flies are extremely varied in appearance. Adult flies may be brilliantly colored and then resemble blow-flies (family Calliphoridae), or rather drab, and then resemble house flies. But tachinid flies are more bristly and more robust. They have three-segmented antennae, a diagnostically prominent postscutellum bulging beneath the scutellum (a segment of the mesonotum), bare (sometimes plumose) arista. The calypters (small flaps above the halteres) are usually very large. Their fourth long vein bends away sharply.

Adult flies feed on flowers and nectar from aphids and scales. As many species typically feed on pollen, they can be important pollinators of some plants, especially at higher elevations in mountains where bees decrease in numbers.

More info: [link]

Thanks to the talented Judy

for helping me identify this one. She has a beautiful gallery!

*stargate4ever23 Nov 30, 2008 Hobbyist Traditional Artist

ew, yuck, not an attractive critter....LOLnice shot tho.

~Calander Nov 27, 2008

Again fantastic macro

*Tazzy- Nov 27, 2008 Professional Photographer

Very nice close up of this fly. I thought this looked like a Tachinid Fly, probably this one. [link]
By the way, not sure if you have ever seen this site. The best website around for IDing bugs from the US. If I find a bug and don't know what it is, 95% of the time I can find it on Bug Guide. [link]

~Cristian-M Dec 3, 2008

Thanks Judy, I updated the image's title and description, and I mentioned your help!

*Tazzy- Dec 4, 2008 Professional Photographer

You are very welcome!

~cdp103188 Nov 25, 2008 Hobbyist Photographer

Fantastic shot! Really cool.

*rdalpes Nov 25, 2008

jolis détails !

More from ~Cristian-M

Featured in Groups:

Details

Statistics

Camera Data

Tachinid Fly 40D0030613by ~Cristian-M

The Journal Portal

Polls

What is your preferred drawing software?

deviantART [dee·vee·un'nt·ART]

Keep in Touch!

Deviousness

Add Media

Style