Tachinidae

Life-forms

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Cladus: Unikonta
Cladus: Opisthokonta
Cladus: Holozoa
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Cladus: Protostomia
Cladus: Ecdysozoa
Cladus: Panarthropoda
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Classis: Insecta
Cladus: Dicondylia
Subclassis: Pterygota
Cladus: Metapterygota
Infraclassis: Neoptera
Cladus: Eumetabola
Cladus: Endopterygota
Superordo: Panorpida
Cladus: Antliophora
Ordo: Diptera
Subordo: Brachycera
Infraordo: Muscomorpha
Sectio: Schizophora
Subsectio: Calyptratae
Superfamilia: Oestroidea

Familia: Tachinidae
Subfamilia: Dexiinae – Exoristinae – Phasiinae – Tachininae
Overview of genera (1773)

a

Abepalpus – Acantholespesia – Acaulona – Acemeigenia – Acemya – Acroceronia – Acronacantha – Actia – Actinactia – Actinochaeta – Actinochaetopteryx – Actinocrocuta – Actinodoria – Actinominthella – Actinoplagia – Actinoprosopa – Actinotachina – Acucera – Acuphoceropsis – Adejeania – Admontia – Afrellia – Afrolixa – Afrophylax – Afrosturmia – Afzelia – Agicuphocera – Aglummyia – Agrarialia – Albinia – Aldrichiopa – Aldrichomyia – Alexogloblinia – Allelomyia – Allophorocera – Alloprosopaea – Allosturmia – Allothelaira – Alpinoplagia – Alsomyia – Alsopsyche – Altaia – Amazohoughia – Amblychaeta – Amedea – Amelibaea – Amesiomima – Ametadoria – Amicrotrichomma – Amnonia – Amphibolia – Amphicestonia – Amphitropesa – Anacamptomyia – Anadiscalia – Anadistichona – Anaeudora – Anagonia – Anameriania – Anametopochaeta – Anaphorinia – Ancistrophora – Andesimyia – Andicesa – Andinomyia – Androsoma – Anechuromyia – Anemorilla – Anemya – Aneogmena – Anepalpus – Anetia – Angiorhina – Angustia – Anhangabahuia – Anisia – Anomalostomyia – Anoxynops – Anoxynopsella – Anoxynopsoidea – Anthomyiopsis – Antistasea – Antistaseopsis – Anurophylla – Apalpostoma – Apatemyia – Aphria – Aplomya – Aplomyodoria – Aplomyopsis – Apomorphomyia – Aporeomyia – Aprotheca – Arama – Araucogonia – Araucosimus – Archiphania – Archytas – Archytoepalpus – Arcona – Arctosoma – Argyrochaetona – Argyrodoria – Argyromima – Argyrophylax – Argyrothelaira – Aria – Aridalia – Arrhenomyza – Arrhinactia – Asetulia – Asilidotachina – Asseclamyia – Austrosolieria – Atacta – Atactopsis – Atactosturmia – Ateloglossa – Ateloglutus – Athrycia – Atilia – Atlantomyia – Atractocerops – Atrichiopoda – Atylomyia – Atylostoma – Aulacephala – Austeniops – Australotachina – Austromacquartia – Austromaquartia – Austronilea – Austrophasiopsis – Austrophorocera – Austrophryno – Austrophytomyptera – Austrostaurochaeta – Avibrissia – Avibrissina – Avibrissosturmia – Azygobothria –
b

Bactromyia – Bactromyiella – Baculocaptus – Bahrettinia – Balde – Bampura – Bathydexia – Baumhaueria – Bavariella – Bayerella – Belida – Bellina – Belvosia – Belvosiella – Belvosiomimops – Beraldia – Beskia – Beskiocephala – Beskioleskia – Bessa – Besseria – Bezziomyiobia – Bibiomima – Bicruciosturmia – Billaea – Binghamimyia – Biomeigenia – Bischofimyia – Bithia – Blepharella – Blepharellina – Blephariatacta – Blepharipa – Blepharomyia – Blepharopoda – Blondelia – Bogosia – Bolbocheta – Bolodoria – Bolohoughia – Bombyliomyia – Bombyliopsis – Bonnaniops – Borgmeiermyia – Bothria – Bothrophora – Botriopsis – Bourquinia – Brachelia – Bracheliopsis – Brachybelvosia – Brachychaeta – Brachycnephalia – Brachymasicera – Brachymera – Brachystylum – Bracteola – Braziliomyia – Brullaea – Buquetia –
c

Cadurcia – Cadurciella – Caeniopsis – Caenisoma – Caenisomopsis – Cahenia – Calcager – Calcageria – Calliethilla – Callotroxis – Calocarcelia – Calodexia – Calohystricia – Calolydella – Calosia – Calotachina – Calothelaira – Calozenillia – Calpodomyia – Caltagironea – Calyptromyia – Camarona – Camposiana – Camposodes – Camptophryno – Campylia – Campylocheta – Canalia – Canelomyia – Cantrellius – Carbonilla – Carcelia – Carceliathrix – Carceliini – Carcelimyia – Carceliocephala – Carceliodoria – Carmodymyia – Casahuiria – Catabucentes – Catagonia – Catajurinia – Catapariprosopa – Cataphorinia – Cataphoriniopsis – Catena – Catharosia – Catilia – Catocyptera – Cavalieria – Cavillatrix – Celatoria – Celatoriopsis – Ceracia – Ceratochaetops – Ceratometopa – Ceromasia – Ceromasiopsis – Ceromya – Cerotachina – Cesamorelosia – Cesapanama – Cesaperua – Cestonia – Cestonionerva – Cestonioptera – Chaetexorista – Chaetocalirrhoe – Chaetocnephalia – Chaetocrania – Chaetocraniopsis – Chaetodemoticus – Chaetodexia – Chaetodoria – Chaetoepalpus – Chaetogaedia – Chaetoglossa – Chaetogyne – Chaetolixophaga – Chaetona – Chaetonalia – Chaetonodexodes – Chaetonopsis – Chaetophathalmus – Chaetophorocera – Chaetophthalmus – Chaetoplagia – Chaetopletha – Chaetoria – Chaetosisyrops – Chaetostigmoptera – Chaetosturmia – Chaetotheresia – Chaetovoria – Chaetoxynops – Chaquimayoia – Charapozelia – Charitella – Chesippus – Chetina – Chetogaster – Chetogena – Chetoglossa – Chetoptilia – Chiloclista – Chiloepalpus – Chiricahuia – Chlorogastropsis – Chlorohystricia – Chlorolydella – Chloropales – Chlorotachina – Choeteprosopa – Cholomyia – Chremia – Chromatophania – Chromoepalpus – Chryserycia – Chrysoexorista – Chrysohoughia – Chrysometopiops – Chrysomikia – Chrysomopsis – Chrysopasta – Chrysophryno – Chrysophryxe – Chrysoprospherysa – Chrysosomopsis – Chrysosturmia – Chrysotachina – Chrysotryphera – Chyuluella – Ciala – Cinochira – Cistogaster – Clairvillia – Clastoneura – Clastoneuriopsis – Clausicella – Clausicellana – Clelimyia – Clemelis – Cleonice – Clinogaster – Clista – Clytho – Clythoxynops – Clytiomya – Cnephalodes – Cnephaotachina – Cockerelliana – Cololeskia – Coloradomyia – Comatacta – Comops – Comopsis – Compsilura – Compsiluroides – Compsoptesis – Comyops – Comyopsis – Conactia – Conactiodoria – Conogaster – Conopomima – Copecrypta – Coracomyia – Cordillerodexia – Cordyligaster – Corozalia – Corpulentoepalpus – Corpulentosoma – Corybantia – Coscaronia – Cossidophaga – Cowania - Crapivnicia – Crocinosoma – Croesoactia – Crosskeya – Crypsina – Cryptocladocera – Cryptomeigenia – Cryptomeigenioidea – Cryptopalpus – Ctenophorinia – Cubaemyiopsis – Cuparymyia – Cuphocera – Currana – Cyanogymnomma – Cyanoleskia – Cyanopsis – Cylindromasicera – Cylindromyia – Cylindromyiella – Cylindromyiini – Cylindrophasia – Cyosoprocta – Cyrtocladia – Cyrtophleba – Cyzenis –
d

Daetaleus – Dallasimyia – Damonia – Dasyuromyia – Datvia – Degeeria – Degeeriopsis – Dejeania – Dejeaniini – Dejeaniops – Deloblepharis – Deltoceromyia – Deltomyza – Demoticoides – Demoticus – Deopalpus – Desantisodes – Descampsina – Dexia – Dexiomera – Dexiomimops – Dexiosoma – Dexiotrix – Dexodimyia – Dexodioidea – Dexodiopsis – Dexodomintho – Diaphanomyia – Diaphoropeza – Diaprochaeta – Diatraeophaga – Diaugia – Dicarca – Dichocera – Didyma – Diglossocera – Dinera – Dionaea – Dionomelia – Diotrephes – Diplopota – Dischotrichia – Distichona – Doleschalla – Dolichocnephalia – Dolichocodia – Dolichocolon – Dolichocoxys – Dolichodinera – Dolichogonia – Dolichopalpellus – Dolichopodomintho – Dolichostoma – Dolichotarsina – Dolichotarsus – Doliolomyia – Doriella – Doryphorophaga – Drepanoglossa – Drino – Drinomyia – Dufouria – Dumerillia –
e

Ebenia – Echinodexia – Echinomasicera – Echinomya – Echinopyrrhosia – Echinopyrrhosiops – Ectophasia – Ectophasiopsis – Ecuadorana – Edwynia – Effusimentum – Egameigenia – Eggonia – Elbaea – Eleodiphaga – Eleuthromyia – Elfia – Elfriedella – Eliozeta – Eloceria – Elodia – Elodimyia – Elomya – Elophoria – Elpe – Embiomyia – Empheremyia – Empheremyiops – Emporomyia – Enchomyia – Engeddia – Engelomyia – Enrogalia – Entomophaga – Eoacemyia – Eomedina – Eomeigenielloides – Eophyllophila – Eozenillia – Epalpellus – Epalpodes – Epalpus – Eperia – Epicampocera – Epicoronimyia – Epicuphocera – Epigrimyia – Epimeigenia – Epiphanocera – Epiprospherysa – Erebiomima – Eribella – Eriothrix – Eristaliomyia – Ernestia – Ernestiopsis – Erviopsis – Erycesta – Erycia – Erycilla – Erynnia – Erynniola – Erynniopsis – Eryphe – Erythroargyrops – Erythrocera – Erythroepalpus – Erythromelana – Erythronychia – Esila – Estheria – Ethilla – Ethylloides – Etroga – Euacaulona – Euanisia – Euantha – Euanthoides – Eubischofimyia – Eubrachymera – Eucalodexia – Eucelatoria – Eucelatorioidea – Eucelatoriopsis – Euceromasia – Euchaetogyne – Eucheirophaga – Euclausicella – Euclytia – Eucnephalia – Eucoronimyia – Eucorpulentosoma – Eudejeania – Eudexia – Euempheremyia – Euepalpodes – Euepalpus – Euexorista – Eufabriciopsis – Eufrontina – Eugenia – Eugymnopeza – Euhalidaya – Euhelioprosopa – Euhuascaraya – Euhygia – Euhystricia – Eujuriniodes – Eulabidogaster – Eulasiona – Eulasiopalpus – Eulobomyia – Euloewiodoria – Euloewiopsis – Eumachaeraea – Eumacrohoughia – Eumasicera – Eumasicerini – Eumea – Eumeella – Eumegaparia – Eumelanepalpus – Eunemorilla – Euoestrogaster – Euoestrogastrodes – Euoestrophasia – Euoestropsis – Euphorocera – Eupododexia – Euprospherysa – Euptilodegeeria – Euptilomyia – Euptilopareia – Eurithia – Eurygastropsis – Eurysthaea – Eurythemyia – Eusaundersiops – Euscopolia – Eustacomyia – Eutelothyria – Euthelaira – Euthelyconychia – Euthera – Euthyprosopiella – Eutrapelus – Eutrichophora – Eutrichopoda – Eutrichopodopsis – Eutrixa – Eutrixoides – Eutrixopsis – Euvespivora – Euwinthemia – Everestiomyia – Evidomyia – Exechopalpus – Exodexia – Exoernestia – Exopalpus – Exorista – Exoristini – Exoristoides – Exoristopsis –
f

Fabriciopsis – Faedoria – Fasslomyia – Fausta – Feburia – Feria – Feriola – Filistea – Fischeria – Flavicorniculum – Floradalia – Formicomyia – Formicophania – Formodexia – Formosia – Freraea – Froggattimyia – Frontina – Frontiniella – Frontocnephalia – Frontodexia –
g

Gaedia – Gaediophanopsis – Gaediopsis – Gaedioxenis – Galapagosia – Galsania – Ganopleuron – Ganoproctus – Gastrolepta – Gastroptilops – Gautengicesa – Gemursa – Genea – Geneodes – Genotrichia – Geraldia – Germaria – Germariochaeta – Germariopsis – Gerocyptera – Gigamyiopsis – Gigantoepalpus – Gimmenthalia – Ginglymia – Glaurocara – Glossidionophora – Gnadochaeta – Gonatorrhina – Gonia – Goniocera – Goniochaeta – Goniophthalmus – Gonistylum – Gonzalezodoria – Gopaulia – Gracilicera – Graphia – Graphogaster – Graphotachina – Guerinia – Gueriniopsis – Gwenda – Gymnaporia – Gymnocarcelia – Gymnochaeta – Gymnochaetopsis – Gymnocheta – Gymnoclytia – Gymnodoria – Gymnoglossa – Gymnomacquartia – Gymnomma – Gymnommopsis – Gymnophryxe – Gymnosoma – Gynandromyia –
h

Halesa – Halydaia – Hamaxia – Hamaxiella – Hapalioloemus – Haracca – Harrisia – Haywardiamyia – Hebia – Hegesinus – Heliaea – Heliconiophaga – Heliodexodes – Heliodorus – Heliolydella – Heliolydellops – Helioprosopa – Hemiargyrophylax – Hemiargyropsis – Hemilydella – Hemimacquartia – Hemisturmia – Hemisturmiella – Hemiwinthemia – Hemyda – Heraultia – Herilla – Hermya – Hersilia – Hesperomyia – Heteria – Heterometopia – Hillomyia – Himera – Hineomyia – Homogenia – Homohypochaeta – Homosaundersia – Homosaundersiops – Homotrixa – Houghia – Huascarayopsis – Huascarodexia – Hubneria – Huttonobesseria – Hyadesimyia – Hyalomya – Hyalurgus – Hygiella – Hyleorus – Hyperaea – Hypersara – Hypertrophocera – Hypertrophomma – Hyphantrophaga – Hypochaetopsis – Hypodoria – Hypohoughia – Hypomyothyria – Hypophylax – Hypoproxynops – Hypotachina – Hypovoria – Hystricephala – Hystrichodexia – Hystricia – Hystriciella – Hystriciopsis – Hystricovoria – Hystriomyia – Hystrisyphona –
i

Icelia – Iceliopsis – Iconofrontina – Ictericodexia – Igneomyia – Ilaesa – Imitomyia – Impeccantia – Incamyia – Incamyiopsis – Intrapales – Irengia – Irwinia – Isafarus – Ischyrophaga – Isidotus – Ismenia – Isochaetina – Isopexopsis – Isosturmia – Istocheta – Istoglossa – Itabiomyia – Itacnephalia – Itacuphocera – Italispidea – Italydella – Itamintho – Itaplectops – Itasaundersia – Itasturmia – Itavoria – Itaxanthomelana – Iteuthelaira –
j

Jaenimyia – Jalapamyia – Jamacaria – Janthinomyia – Jimimyia – Jurinella – Jurinia – Juriniopsis – Juriniosoma – Jurinodexia –
k

Kallisomyia – Kambaitimyia – Kinangopana – Kiniatiliops – Kiniatilla – Kirbya – Klugia – Koralliomyia – Kuwanimyia –
l

Labigastera – Lafuentemyia – Lambrusca – Lasiona – Lasiopales – Lasiopalpus – Latiginella – Laufferiella – Lecanipa – Leiophora – Leptidosophia – Leptodexia – Leptomacquartia – Leptostylum – Leptothelaira – Leschenaultia – Leskia – Leskiini – Leskiola – Leskiolydella – Leskiopsis – Lespesia – Leucocarcelia – Leucostoma – Leverella – Ligeria – Ligeriella – Lindigepalpus – Lindneriola – Linnaemya – Linnaemyini – Lissoglossa – Litophasia – Lixadmontia – Lixinia – Lixophaga – Loewia – Lomachantha – Lophosia – Lophosiosoma – Lubutana – Lupia – Lydella – Lydellina – Lydellothelaira – Lydina – Lydinolydella – Lygaeomyia – Lypha – Lyphosia –
m

Machairomasicera – Macquartia – Macrochloria – Macrohoughia – Macrohoughiopsis – Macrojurinia – Macrometopa – Macromya – Macropodexia – Macroprosopa – Mactomyia – Maculia – Maculosalia – Madremyia – Magripa – Mahauiella – Mallochomacquartia – Manola – Manteomasiphya – Mapolomyia – Maracasimyia – Marnefia – Marshallomyia – Masicera – Masiphya – Masiphyoidea – Masistyloides – Masistylum – Mastigiomyia – Matucania – Mauritiodoria – Mauromyia – Mayodistichona – Mayophorinia – Mayoschizocera – Medina (genus) – Medinella – Medinodexia – Medinomyia – Medinophyto – Medinospila – Mediosetiger – Medoria – Megaparia – Megapariopsis – Megaprosopus – Megistogastropsis – Mehmetia – Meigenia – Meigenielloides – Melanactia – Melanasomyia – Melanepalpellus – Melanepalpus – Melanesomyia – Melanodoria – Melanophrys – Melanorlopteryx – Melanoromintho – Melanorophasia – Meledonus – Meleterus – Melisoneura – Mellachnus – Mendelssohnia – Mericia – Mericina – Mesembrierigone – Mesembrinormia – Mesnilana – Mesnilisca – Mesnilius – Mesnilomyia – Mesnilotrix – Mesnilus – Metacemyia – Metadrinomyia – Metagonistylum – Metamyiophasia – Metamyobia – Metaphorocera – Metaphryno – Metaplagia – Metarrhinomyia – Metopiopsis – Metopoactia – Metopomintho – Metopomuscopteryx – Metoposisyrops – Miamimyia – Miamimyiops – Micra – Microaporia – Microcerophina – Microchaetina – Microchaetogyne – Microchaetona – Microcheilosia – Microgymnomma – Microhystricia – Microleskia – Micromasiphya – Micronychia – Micronychiops – Microphthalma – Microsoma – Microtownsendia – Microtropesa – Mikia – Mikiella – Milada – Mimologus – Mintho – Minthodes – Minthomyia – Minthoplagia – Minthopsis – Minthosoma – Minthotachina – Minthoxia – Mitannia – Mochlosoma – Mongolomintho – Monoestrogaster – Monoleptophaga – Montanarturia – Montanothalma – Montserratia – Montuosa – Moreiria – Moretia – Morphodexia – Munira – Muscinothelaira – Muscopteryx – Myatelemus – Myconia – Mycteromyiella – Myersimyia – Myiochaeta – Myioclura – Myiodexia – Myiodoriops – Myiomima – Myiomintho – Myiopharus – Myiophasia – Myiophasiopsis – Myioscotiptera – Myiosturmiopsis – Myiotrixa – Myioxynops – Myobiomima – Myothyriopsis – Mystacella – Mystacomyia – Mystacomyoidea – Myxarchiclops – Myxexorista – Myxexoristops – Myxophryxe –
n

Naira – Neaera – Nealsomyia – Neaphria – Neargyrophylax – Nemoraea – Nemorilla – Nemorilloides – Neobrachelia – Neocampylochaeta – Neochaetoplagia – Neocraspedothrix – Neocuphocera – Neocyrtophoeba – Neodichocera – Neoemdenia – Neoerigone – Neoerythronychia – Neoethilla – Neogymnomma – Neolophosia – Neolydella – Neomasiphya – Neomedina – Neometachaeta – Neomintho – Neominthoidea – Neominthopsis – Neomyostoma – Neopaedarium – Neophasmophaga – Neophryxe – Neophyllophila – Neoplectops – Neopodomyia – Neosarromyia – Neosolieria – Neosophia – Neossarromyia – Neotachina – Neotrafoiopsis – Neotryphera – Neoxanthobasis – Neoxynopsoidea – Neozelia – Nephochaetona – Nephoplagia – Nepocarcelia – Nepophasmophaga – Neximyia – Nicephorus – Nigara – Nigrilypha – Nigrina – Nilea – Nimioglossa – Nipponoceromyia – Nothovoria – Notoderus – Notodytes – Notomanes – Novia – Nowickia –
o

Obeida – Oberonomyia – Oblitoneura – Obolocera – Obscuromyia – Occisor – Ochrocera – Ochroepalpus – Ocypteromima – Ocyrtosoma – Ocytata – Oedemamedina – Oedematocera – Oestrohystricia – Oestrophasia – Oestrophasiana – Oharamyia – Oligooestrus – Olinda – Olindopsis – Ollachactia – Ollachea – Ollacheryphe – Ommaleskia – Ommasicera – Onychogonia – Oomeigenia – Opesia – Ophirion – Ophirionopsis – Ophirodexia – Ophirosturmia – Opsoempheria – Opsoleskia – Opsomeigenia – Opsophagus – Opsophasiopteryx – Opsosturmia – Opsotheresia – Opticopteryx – Oraeosoma – Oraphasmophaga – Orasturmia – Oresbia – Orestilla – Oria – Orillia – Ormia – Ormiophasia – Orohoughia – Oromasiphya – Orophorocera – Orthaporia – Orthosimyia – Ostracophyto – Oswaldia – Otomasicera – Oxyaporia – Oxyepalpus – Oxymedoria – Oxynops – Oxynopsalia – Oxynopsis – Oxyophirion – Oxyphyllomyia –
p

Pachycheta – Pachymyia – Pachynocera – Pachystylum – Paedarium – Pales – Palesisa – Palexorista – Palia – Paliana – Palmonia – Palpexorista – Palpolinnaemyia – Palpostoma – Palpotachina – Palpozenillia – Pammaerus – Pandelleia – Panzeria – Parabothria – Parabrachycoma – Parachaetopsis – Parachetolyga – Paraclara – Paracraspedothrix – Paradejeania – Paradidyma – Paradmontia – Paradoria – Paradrino – Paralypha – Paramesochaeta – Paranetia – Paranoxynops – Parapales – Parapexopsis – Paraphasiopsis – Paraphasmophaga – Paraphorantha – Parapoliops – Paraprospherysa – Pararchytas – Pararondania – Pararrhinactia – Parasetigena – Paratachina – Parathelaira – Paratheresia – Paratrixa – Paratropeza – Paratryphera – Paravibrissina – Paraxanthobasis – Parechinotachina – Parepalpus – Parerigone – Parerigonesis – Parerigonini – Pareupogona – Parhamaxia – Parkerella – Parodomyiops – Paropesia – Paropsivora – Patelloa – Patillalia – Patulifrons – Paulipalpus – Pelamera – Pelashyria – Pelatachina – Pelecotheca – Peleteria – Pelycops – Pennapoda – Pentatomophaga – Penthosia – Penthosiosoma – Peracroglossa – Peremptor – Periarchiclops – Peribaea – Pericheta – Perigymnosoma – Periopticochaeta – Periostoma – Periscepsia – Peristasisea – Perrissina – Perrissinoides – Persedea – Perumyia – Petagnia – Peteina – Petrargyrops – Pexoides – Pexopsis – Phaenopsis – Phaeodema – Phalacrophyto – Phania – Phaniola – Phantasiomyia – Phantasiosiphona – Phaoniella – Phasia – Phasiatacta – Phasiocyptera – Phasioormia – Phasiophyto – Phasiops – Phasmofrontina – Phasmophaga – Phasmovora – Phebellia – Philippodexia – Philocorus – Phobetromyia – Phonomyia – Phorcidella – Phorinia – Phorocera – Phorocerosoma – Phorocerostoma – Phorophylla – Phosocephala – Phryno – Phrynotachina – Phryxe – Phyllaristomyia – Phyllomya – Phyllomyia – Phyllophilopsis – Phyllophryno – Phytomyptera – Phytomypterina – Phytorophaga – Picconia – Pictoepalpus – Piligena – Piligenoides – Pilimyia – Pimelimyia – Piriona – Pirionimyia – Piximactia – Plagimasicera – Plagiocoma – Plagiomima – Plagiomyia – Planomyia – Platydexia – Platymya – Platyphasia – Platyrrhinodexia – Platyschineria – Platytachina – Platytainia – Plaxactia – Plectopsis – Plesina – Plesiodexilla – Plethochaetigera – Pododexia – Podosturmia – Policheta – Poliops – Polistiopsis – Polybiocyptera – Polybiophila – Polychaeta – Polygaster – Polygastropteryx – Porphyromus – Pradocania – Pretoriamyia – Procarcelia – Proceromyia – ?Procissio – Procleonice – Prodegeeria – Prodemoticus – Prodexodes – Prodiaphania – Proleskia – Proleskiomima – Prolophosia – Prolypha – Promegaparia – Prometopiops – Promintho – Pronemorilla – Proparachaeta – Proparachaetopsis – Prophaenopsis – Prophasiopsis – Prophorinia – Prophorostoma – Prorhynchops – Proriedelia – Proroglutea – Proscissio – Prosena – Prosenactia – Prosenina – Proseninae – Prosenoides – Prosenosoma – Prosethilla – Prosheliomyia – Prosopea – Prosopochoeta – Prosopodopsis – Prosopofrontina – Prospalaea – Prospanipalpus – Prospherysa – Prospherysodoria – Prosuccingulum – Protaporia – Protodejeania – Protogoniops – Protogoniopsis – Protohystricia – Protonotodytes – Protrichoprosopis – Protypophaemyia – Proxanthobasis – Przibramiella – Psalidoxena – Psecacera – Pseudalsomyia – Pseudapinops – Pseudebenia – Pseudobombyliomyia – Pseudobrullaea – Pseudocelatoria – Pseudochaeta – Pseudochaetona – Pseudodexia – Pseudodinera – Pseudoepalpodes – Pseudogonia – Pseudomasiphya – Pseudomintho – Pseudominthodes – Pseudomyothyria – Pseudoophirion – Pseudopachystylum – Pseudoperichaeta – Pseudoprospherysa – Pseudoredtenbacheria – Pseudorrhinactia – Pseudosiphosturmia – Pseudosturmia – Pseudoviviania – Pseudoxanthozona – Pseudoxanthozonella – Pterotopeza – Ptesiomyia – Ptilocatagonia – Ptilodegeeria – Ptilodexia – Ptilogonia – Ptilomyiopsis – Ptilomyoides – Ptilopsis – Punamyia – Punamyocera – Pygidimyia – Pygocalcager – Pygophorinia – Pyrrhodexia – Pyrrhoernestia – Pyrrhotachina –
q

Quadra – Quadratosoma –
r

Ramonda – Ramonella – Rcortesia – Redtenbacheria – Reichardia – Rhachoepalpus – Rhachosaundersia – Rhacodinella – Rhamphina – Rhamphinina – Rhaphiochaeta – Rhinaplomyia – Rhinomacquartia – Rhinomya – Rhinomyobia – Rhinophoroides – Rhombothyria – Rhombothyriops – Rhynchogonia – Richteriola – Ricosia – Riedelia – Rioteria – Robinaldia – Rondania – Rondaniooestrus – Rossimyiops – Ruiziella – Rutilia – Rutiliini – Rutilodexia – Rutilotrixa –
s

Sagaris – Santacruzia – Santacruziopsis – Saralba – Sarcocalirrhoe – Sarcoprosena – Sarromyia – Sarrorhina – Saundersiops – Scaphimyia – Schembria – Schineria – Schistostephana – Schizolinnaea – Schlingermyia – Schwarzalia – Scomma – Scotia – Scotiptera – Senometopia – Senostoma – Sepseocara – Sericodoria – Sericotachina – Sericozenillia – Setalunula – Setolestes – Shannonomyiella – Signosoma – Signosomopsis – Simoma – Siphoactia – Siphocrocuta – Siphona – Siphonini – Siphosturmia – Sisyphomyia – Sisyropa – Sitellitergus – Sitophaga – Smidtia – Smidtiola – Solieria – Solomonilla – Sonaca – Sophia – Sophiella – Sorochemyia – Spallanzania – Spathidexia – Spathimeigenia – Spathimyia – Spathipalpus – Sphaerina – Spilochaetosoma – Spiniabdomina – Spiroglossa – Squamomedina – Stackelbergomyia – Staurochaeta – Steatosoma – Steleoneura – Stenochaeta – Stenodexia – Stenosturmia – Stiremania – Stolatosoma – Stomatodexia – Stomatotachina – Strongygaster – Stuardomyia – Sturmia – Sturmiellina – Sturmiini – Sturmimasiphya – Sturmioactia – Sturmiodexia – Sturmiomima – Sturmiopsis – Sturmiopsoidea – Subclytia – Subfischeria – Succingulodes – Suensonomyia – Sumichrastia – Sumpigaster – Symmorphomyia – Synactia – Synamphichaeta – Synorbitalia – Syringosoma –
t

Tachina – Tachineo – Tachinoestrus – Tachinomyia – Tachinophasia – Tachinophyto – Takanoella – Takanomyia – Talarocera – Talparomyia – Tapajohoughia – Tapajoleskia – Tapajosia – Taperamyia – Tarassus – Tarpessita – Tasmaniomyia – Technamyia – Telodytes – Telonotomyia – Telothyria – Telothyriosoma – Temesia – Teretrophora – Tesseracephalus – Tetragrapha – Tetrigimyia – Tettigoniophaga – Theano – Thecocarcelia – Thelaira – Thelairalia – Thelairaporia – Thelairochaetona – Thelairodes – Thelairodoria – Thelairodoriopsis – Thelairodrino – Thelairoleskia – Thelairomima – Thelairophasia – Thelairosoma – Thelyconychia – Thelymorpha – Thelymyia – Thelyoxynops – Thelyphaenopsis – Therobia – Thompsoniella – Thrixion – Thryptodexia – Thysanopsis – Thysanosturmia – Timavia – Tipulidomima – Tipuloleskia – Tlephusa – Topomeigenia – Torocca – Torosomyia – Tothillia – Townsendiellomyia – Toxocnemis – Trafoia – Trepophryx – Triarthria – Trichactia – Trichinochaeta – Trichoceronia – Trichodischia – Trichodura – Trichoepalpus – Trichoformosomyia – Trichophora – Trichopoda – Trichoprosopus – Trichopyrrhosia – Trichosaundersia – Trichostylum – Trichotopteryx – Trichschizotachina – Trigonospila – Trinitodexia – Trinitodoria – Triodontopyga – Trischidocera – Trismegistomya – Tritaxys – Trixa – Trixiceps – Trixoclea – Trixodes – Trixodopsis – Trixomorpha – Trochilochaeta – Trochilodes – Trochiloglossa – Trochiloleskia – Tromodesiana – Tropidodexia – Tropidopsiomorpha – Truphia – Tryphera – Trypherina – Trypherosoma – Tsugaea – Tunapunia – Turanogonia – Tylodexia – Tyreomma –
u

Ucayalimyia – Uclesia – Uclesiella – Ugimeigenia – Uramya – Uraporia – Urochaetona – Urodexia – Urodexiini – Urodexiomima – Urodexodes – Uroeuantha – Urohypomyia – Uromedina – Ursophyto – Urucurymyia – Uruhuasia – Uruhuasiopsis – Uruleskia – Urumyobia – Ushpayacua –
v

Vanderwulpella – Vanderwulpia – Velardemyia – Veluta – Verrugomyia – Verrugophryno – Vertepalpus – Vibrissina – Vibrissomyia – Vibrissovoria – Villanovia – Villeneuvenia – Visayalydina – Vivianoidea – Voria – Voriella –
w

Wagneria – Wardarina – Wattia – Weberia – Weingaertneriella – Winthellia – Winthemia – Winthemiini –
x

Xanthobasis – Xanthochaetona – Xanthodexia – Xanthoepalpodes – Xanthoepalpus – Xanthomelanodes – Xanthomelanopsis – Xanthooestrus – Xanthopelta – Xanthophyllophila – Xanthophyto – Xanthopteromyia – Xanthotheresia – Xanthozona – Xenoplagia – Xenorhynchia – Xeoprosopa – Xiphochaeta – Xylocamptomima – Xylotachina – Xysta –
y

Yahuarmayoia – Ypophaemyiops –
z

Zaira – Zambesa – Zambesomima – Zamimus – Zealandotachina – Zebromyia – Zelia – Zelinda – Zelindomyia – Zelindopsis – Zeliomima – Zenargomyia – Zenillia – Zeuxia – Zeuxiotrix – Ziminia – Zita – Zizyphomyia – Zonalia – Zonoepalpus – Zophomyia – Zosteromeigenia – Zygobothria – Zygofrontinopsis – Zygozenillia
Name

Tachinidae Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830
References
Primary references

Robineau-Desvoidy, J.B. 1830. Essai sur les myodaires. Mémoires présentés par divers savants á l'Académie Royale des Sciences de l'Institut de France. Tome 2. 813 pp. online at Gallica Reference page.

Additional references

Cantrell, B.K. 1988: The comparative morphology of the male and female postabdomen of the Australian Tachinidae (Diptera), with descriptions of some first-instar larvae and pupae. Invertebrate taxonomy, 2(1): 81–221. DOI: 10.1071/IT9880081
Cerretti, P., O’Hara, J.E., Wood, D.M., Shima, H., Inclan, D.J. & Stireman, J.O., III 2014. Signal through the noise? Phylogeny of the Tachinidae (Diptera) as inferred from morphological evidence. Systematic Entomology 39(2): 335–353. DOI: 10.1111/syen.12062 Paywall. Reference page.
Dios, R. De V.P. & Nihei, S.S. 2016. A remarkable new species of Eutrichopoda Townsend, 1908 (Diptera: Tachinidae: Phasiinae). Zootaxa 4121(2): 194–200. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4121.2.10. Reference page.
Dios, R. de V.P. & de Santis, M.D. 2019. A new synonym for Zelia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 (Diptera, Tachinidae), the genus Opsozelia Townsend, 1919, with the description of three new species. ZooKeys, 880: 113–133. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.880.35482 Open access Reference page.
Evenhuis, N.L., Pont, A.C. & Whitmore, D. 2015. Nomenclatural Studies Toward a World List of Diptera Genus-Group Names. Part IV: Charles Henry Tyler Townsend. Zootaxa 3978(1): 1–362. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3978.1.1. Preview (PDF) ISBN 978-1-77557-735-5 (paperback); ISBN 978-1-77557-736-2 (Online edition) Reference page.
Fleming, A.J., Wood, D.M., Janzen, D.H., Hallwachs, W. & Smith, M.A. 2015. Seven new species of Spathidexia Townsend (Diptera: Tachinidae) reared from caterpillars in Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Biodiversity Data Journal 3: e4597. DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.3.e4597. Reference page.
Fleming, A.J., Wood, D.M., Smith, M.A., Janzen, D.H. & Hallwachs, W. 2015. Nine new species of Itaplectops (Diptera: Tachinidae) reared from caterpillars in Area de Conservación Guanacaste, northwestern Costa Rica, with a key to Itaplectops species. Biodiversity Data Journal 3: e4596. DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.3.e4596. Reference page.
Fleming, A.J., Wood, D.M., Smith, M.A., Hallwachs, W., Janzen, D. & Dapkey, T. 2017. Nine new species of Uramya Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Tachinidae) from Area de Conservación Guanacaste in northwestern Costa Rica, with a key to their identification. Biodiversity Data Journal 5: e9649. DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.5.e9649. Reference page.
Fleming, A.J., Wood, D.M., Smith, M.A., Dapkey, T., Hallwachs, W. & Janzen, D.H. 2017. Five new species of Vibrissina Rondani (Diptera: Tachinidae) from Area de Conservación Guanacaste in Northwestern Costa Rica. Biodiversity Data Journal 5: e10967. DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.5.e10967. Reference page.
Fleming, A.J., Wood, D.M., Smith, M.A., Dapkey, T., Hallwachs, W. & Janzen, D. 2017. A new species of Voria Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Tachinidae) from Area de Conservación Guanacaste in northwestern Costa Rica. Biodiversity Data Journal 5: e20123. DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.5.e20123. Reference page.
Fleming, A.J., Wood, D.M., Smith, M.A., Dapkey, T., Hallwachs, W. & Janzen, D. 2019. A new species of Trismegistomya Reinhard (Diptera: Tachinidae) from Area de Conservación Guanacaste in northwestern Costa Rica. Biodiversity Data Journal, 7: e29130. DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.7.e29130 Reference page.
Fleming, A.J., Wood, D.M., Smith, M.A., Dapkey, T., Hallwachs, W. & Janzen, D.H. 2019. Twenty-two new species in the genus Hyphantrophaga Townsend (Diptera: Tachinidae) from Area de Conservación Guanacaste, with a key to the species of Mesoamerica. Biodiversity Data Journal, 7: e29553. DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.7.e29553 Reference page.
Gilasian, E., Ziegler, J. & Parchami-Araghi, M. 2016. A review of the genus Minthodes Brauer & Bergenstamm (Diptera: Tachinidae) in Iran, with the description of a new species. Zootaxa 4173(2): 125–136. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4173.2.3. Reference page.
Gilasian, E., Ziegler, J. & Parchami-Araghi, M. 2018. Review of the genus Trichactia Stein (Diptera: Tachinidae) in the Palaearctic Region, with the description of a new species from Iran and the East Mediterranean. Zootaxa 4526(2): 207–220. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4526.2.6 Paywall Reference page.
Given, B.B. 1945: Tachinid parasites attacking melolonthid larvae in New Zealand. Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 75: 321–323.
Pohjoismäki, J. & Haarto, A. 2015. Linnaemya bergstroemi n. sp. (Diptera: Tachinidae)—a new parasitoid fly from the Finnish Lapland. Zootaxa 4059(3): 581–597. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4059.3.9. Preview (PDF) Reference page.
Koçak, A.Ö.; Kemal, M. 2009: Notes on the nomenclature of some generic names of the order Diptera. Centre for Entomological Studies Ankara miscellaneous papers, 150: 7–8. Internet Archive
Mulieri, P.R., Patitucci, L.D., Bachmann, A.O. & O’Hara, J.E. 2013. The type specimens of Tachinidae (Diptera) housed in the Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”, Buenos Aires. Zootaxa 3670(2): 157–176. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3670.2.3 Reference page.
Nihei, S.S. 2015: The misplaced genus Trischidocera Villeneuve (Diptera, Tachinidae). Zootaxa 3926(2): 279–286. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3926.2.8. Reference page.
Nihei, S.S. 2015: Systematic revision of the ormiine genera Aulacephala Macquart and Phasioormia Townsend (Diptera, Tachinidae). Zootaxa 3931(1): 1–26. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3931.1.1. Reference page.
Nihei, S.S. 2016. FAMILY TACHINIDAE. In: Wolff, M.I., Nihei, S.S. & Carvalho, C.J.B. de (eds.), Catalogue of Diptera of Colombia. Zootaxa 4122(1): 904–949. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4122.1.76 Paywall. Reference page.
O'Hara, J.E. 2013. History of tachinid classification (Diptera, Tachinidae). ZooKeys 316: 1–34. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.316.5132 Open access. Reference page.
O'Hara, J. & Cerretti, P. 2016. Annotated catalogue of the Tachinidae (Insecta, Diptera) of the Afrotropical Region, with the description of seven new genera. ZooKeys 575: 1–344. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.575.6072 Open access. Reference page.
O’Hara, J.E., Shima, H. & Zhang, C. 2009. Annotated catalogue of the Tachinidae (Insecta: Diptera) of China. Zootaxa 2190: 1–236. Abstract & excerpt PDF. Reference page.
O’Hara, J.E. & Wood, D.M. 2004. Catalogue of the Tachinidae (Diptera) of America north of Mexico. Memoirs on Entomology, International 18. 410 pp. ISBN 1-56665-078-X. Abstract and Introduction. Reference page. [not seen]
O'Hara, J.E., Wood, D.M., González, C.R. 2021. Annotated catalogue of the Tachinidae (Insecta, Diptera) of Chile. ZooKeys 1064: 1–200. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1064.62972 Open access. Reference page.
Pohjoismäki, J. & Bergström, C. 2021. Review of the Nordic Gymnocheta Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera, Tachinidae) with report of two species new to Europe. Zookeys 1053: 145–184. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1053.52761 Open access Reference page.
Richter, V.A., 1993: Two new Palaearctic tachinid species of the tribe Elfiini (Diptera: Tachinidae). Zoosystematica Rossica 1(0): 145–147.
Rognes, K., O'Hara, J.E. & Cerretti, P. 2015. The identity of Tachina westermanni Wiedemann, 1819 (Diptera: Calliphoridae or Tachinidae) with a solution to a nomenclatural problem. Zootaxa 3957(4): 467–479. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3957.4.7. Preview (PDF) Full article (PDF) Reference page.
Scaramozzino, P.L., di Giovanni, F., Loni, A., Gisondi, S., Lucchi, A. & Cerretti, P. 2020. Tachinid (Diptera, Tachinidae) parasitoids of Lobesia botrana (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae) and other moths. ZooKeys, 934: 111–140. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.934.50823 Open access Reference page.
Tachi, T. 2017. Description of the female of Ceromya glaucescens Tachi & Shima (Diptera: Tachinidae) and discovery of unusual sexual dimorphism in this species. Zootaxa 4237(3): 583–586. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4237.3.10. Reference page.
Toma, R. 2010. Contribuição ao conhecimento de espécies venezuelanas de Lespesia Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera, Tachinidae, Exoristinae), com descrições de novas espécies. Revista Brasileira de Entomologia 54(2): 165–172. DOI: 10.1590/S0085-56262010000200002 Open access. Reference page.
Wang, Q., Zhang, C-T. & Wang, X-H. 2015: Review of the genus Parerigone Brauer (Diptera: Tachinidae) with five new species from China. Zootaxa 3919(3): 457–478. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3919.3.2. Reference page.
Wang, Q., Zhang, C-T. & Wang, X-H. 2015. Review of the Hemyda Robineau-Desvoidy of China (Diptera: Tachinidae). Zootaxa 4040(2): 129–148. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4040.2.2. Preview (PDF) Reference page.
Zeegers, T. 2010: Order Diptera, family Tachinidae. Arthropod fauna of the UAE, 3: 673–686. [not seen]
Zhang, C-T., Shima, H., Wang, Q. & Tschorsnig, H-P. 2015: A review of Billaea Robineau-Desvoidy of the eastern Palearctic and Oriental regions (Diptera: Tachinidae). Zootaxa 3949(1): 1–40. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3949.1.1. Preview (PDF) Reference page.

Links

O’Hara, J.E. & Wood, D.M. 2004. Checklist of the Tachinidae of America North of Mexico. 42 pp. PDF.
O’Hara, J.E. 2008. World genera of the Tachinidae (Diptera) and their regional occurrence. Version 4.0. 71 pp. PDF.
O’Hara, J.E. & Henderson, S.J. 2020. World genera of the Tachinidae (Diptera) and their regional occurrence. Version 11.0. 90 pp. PDF.
O’Hara, J.E. 2016. Taxonomic and Host Catalogue of the Tachinidae of America North of Mexico. Online.
O’Hara, J.E., Henderson, S.J. & Wood, D.M. 2020. Preliminary checklist of the Tachinidae (Diptera) of the world. Version 2.1. 1039 pp. PDF.

Vernacular names
беларуская: Тахіны
English: tachina flies
日本語: ヤドリバエ科

The Tachinidae are a large and variable family of true flies within the insect order Diptera, with more than 8,200 known species and many more to be discovered. Over 1300 species have been described in North America alone. Insects in this family commonly are called tachinid flies or simply tachinids. As far as is known, they all are protelean parasitoids, or occasionally parasites, of arthropods, usually other insects. The family is known from many habitats in all zoogeographical regions and is especially diverse in South America.[2]
"Tachinidae" by Harold Maxwell-Lefroy, 1909
Contents

1 Life cycle
2 Oviposition and ovoviviparity
3 Description
4 As biological pest control
5 Evolution
6 See also
7 References
8 External links

Life cycle

Reproductive strategies vary greatly between Tachinid species, largely, but not always clearly, according to their respective life cycles. This means that they tend to be generalists rather than specialists. Comparatively few are restricted to a single host species, so there is little tendency towards the close co-evolution one finds in the adaptations of many specialist species to their hosts, such as are typical of protelean parasitoids among the Hymenoptera.

Larvae (maggots) of most members of this family are parasitoids (developing inside a living host, ultimately killing it). In contrast a few are parasitic (not generally killing the host). Tachinid larvae feed on the host tissues, either after having been injected into the host by the parent, or penetrating the host from outside. Various species have different modes of oviposition and of host invasion. Typically, Tachinid larvae are endoparasites (internal parasites) of caterpillars of butterflies and moths, or the eruciform larvae of sawflies. For example, they have been found to lay eggs in African sugarcane borer larva, a species of moth common in sub-Saharan Africa,[3] as well as the more northerly Arctic woolly bear moth.[4] However, some species attack adult beetles and some attack beetle larvae. Others attack various types of true bugs, and others attack grasshoppers; a few even attack centipedes. Also parasitised are bees, wasps and sawflies.[5]
Tachinid eggs (possibly Trichopoda pennipes) on Leptoglossus occidentalis
Oviposition and ovoviviparity

Probably the majority of female Tachinids lay white, ovoid eggs with flat undersides onto the skin of the host insect. Imms[6] mentions the genera Gymnosoma, Thrixion, Winthemia, and Eutachina as examples. In a closely related strategy some genera are effectively ovoviviparous (some authorities prefer the term ovolarviparous[7]) and deposit a hatching larva onto the host. For example, this occurs in Tachinidae species which parasitize the butterfly Danaus chrysippus in Ghana.[8] The free larvae immediately bore into the host's body. Illustrative genera include Exorista and Voria. Many Tachinid eggs hatch quickly, having partly developed inside the mother's uterus, which is long and often coiled for retaining developing eggs. However, it is suggested that the primitive state probably is to stick unembryonated eggs to the surface of the host.[7]

Many other species inject eggs into the host's body, using the extensible, penetrating part of their ovipositor, sometimes called the oviscapt, which roughly translates to "egg digger". Species in the genera Ocyptera, Alophora, and Compsilura are examples.
Istocheta aldrichi egg on Popillia japonica (Japanese beetle)
Most tachinids are dull colored, resembling house flies
Ormia ochracea, a tachinid fly notable for its acute directional hearing

In many species only one egg is laid on or in any individual host, and accordingly such an egg tends to be large, as is typical for eggs laid in small numbers. They are large enough to be clearly visible if stuck onto the outside of the host, and they generally are so firmly stuck that eggs cannot be removed from the skin of the host without killing them. Furthermore, scientists have observed in studies with the host cabbage looper that being glued to the host insect helps maggots burrow into the larva, where they remain until fully developed.[9]

Yet another strategy of oviposition among some Tachinidae is to lay large numbers of small, darkly coloured eggs on the food plants of the host species. Sturmia, Zenillia, and Gonia are such genera.

Many Tachinids are important natural enemies of major insect pests, and some species actually are used in biological pest control; for example, some species of Tachinid flies have been introduced into North America from their native lands as biocontrols to suppress populations of alien pests.[10] Conversely, certain tachinid flies that prey on useful insects are themselves considered as pests; they can present troublesome problems in the sericulture industry by attacking silkworm larvae. One particularly notorious silkworm pest is the Uzi fly (Exorista bombycis).

Another reproductive strategy is to leave the eggs in the host's environment; for example, the female might lay on leaves, where the host is likely to ingest them. Some tachinids that are parasitoids of stem-boring caterpillars deposit eggs outside the host's burrow, letting the first instar larvae do the work of finding the host for themselves. In other species, the maggots use an ambush technique, waiting for the host to pass and then attacking it and burrowing into its body.

Adult Tachinids are not parasitic, but either do not feed at all or visit flowers, decaying matter, or similar sources of energy to sustain themselves until they have concluded their procreative activities. Their non-parasitic behaviour after eclosion from the pupa is what justifies the application of the term "protelean".
Description
Tachinid Flies Mating

Tachinid flies are extremely varied in appearance. Some adult flies may be brilliantly colored and resemble blow-flies (family Calliphoridae). Most however are rather drab, some resembling house flies. However, Tachinid flies commonly are more bristly and more robust. Also, they usually have a characteristic appearance. They have three-segmented antennae, a diagnostically prominent postscutellum bulging beneath the scutellum (a segment of the mesonotum). They are aristate flies, and the arista usually is bare, though sometimes plumose. 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 scale insects. As many species typically feed on pollen, they can be important pollinators of some plants, especially at higher elevations in mountains where bees are relatively few.

The taxonomy of this family presents many difficulties. It is largely based on morphological characters of the adult flies, but also on reproductive habits and on the immature stage.
As biological pest control

Some tachinid flies parasitize pest species. This has allowed them to be used as biological control agents by farmers. Some Tachinidae are generalists; for instance, Compsilura concinnata uses, at least, 200 different hosts, and they are not safe to be used as biological controls. Others are more specialized and are safer; for instance, Istocheta aldrichi, which only attacks the Japanese beetle.[11][12][13]
Evolution

This clade appears to have originated in the middle Eocene.[14] The oldest known putatively tachinid fossil (Lithexorista) dates from the Eocene Green River Formation in Wyoming.[15][16][17]
See also

List of Tachinidae genera
Parasitoid wasp

References

Systema Dipterorum: Tachinidae
James E. O'Hara; Shannon J. Henderson (December 18, 2018). "World Genera of the Tachinidae (Diptera) and Their Regional Occurrence" (PDF).
Hastings, H.; Conling, D.E.; Graham, D.Y. (1988). "Notes on the natural host surveys and laboratory rearing of Goniozus natalensis Gordh (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae), a parasitoid of Eldana saccharina Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larvae from Cyperus papyrus L. in Southern Africa" (PDF). Journal of the Entomological Society of Southern Africa. 51: 1.
Morewood, W. Dean; Wood, D. Monty (2002). "Host utilization byExorista thula Wood (sp. nov.) and Chetogena gelida (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tachinidae), parasitoids of arctic Gynaephora species (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae)". Polar Biology. 25 (8): 575–582. doi:10.1007/s00300-002-0382-y. S2CID 20312863.
"Parasitic Flies - Ontario AppleIPM". www.omafra.gov.on.ca.
Imms' General Textbook of Entomology: Volume 1: Structure, Physiology and Development Volume 2: Classification and Biology. Berlin: Springer. 1977. ISBN 978-0-412-61390-6.
Wood, D. M. 1987. Chapter 110. Tachinidae. Pp. 1193-1269 in McAlpine, J.F., Peterson, B.V., Shewell, G.E., Teskey, H.J., Vockeroth, J.R. and D.M. Wood (eds.), Manual of Nearctic Diptera. Volume 2. Agriculture Canada Monograph 28: i-vi, 675-1332.
Edmunds, Malcolm (1976-03-01). "Larval mortality and population regulation in the butterfly Danaus chrysippus in Ghana". Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 58 (2): 129–145. doi:10.1111/j.1096-3642.1976.tb00823.x. ISSN 0024-4082.
Brubaker, R. W. (1968-02-01). "Seasonal Occurrence of Voria ruralis a Parasite of the Cabbage Looper, in Arizona, and Its Behavior and Development in Laboratory Culture1". Journal of Economic Entomology. 61 (1): 306–309. doi:10.1093/jee/61.1.306. ISSN 0022-0493.