Huttonobesseria verecunda (Hutton 1901)

This page and associated pages is dedicated to New Zealand Tachinidae (parasitic flies)

Tachinidae is a parasitic fly family of the order Diptera (Flies). In New Zealand the known hosts are predominantly moth larvae (Lepidotera). Other known hosts are some true bugs (Hemiptera), scarab beetles (Scarabaeidae: Coleoptera) and long horn beetles (Cerambycidae: Coleoptera). The female tachinids attach an egg or a live larva on the host or deposit a micro egg on a substrate such as a leaf. Such eggs maybe ingested by the host whilst feeding on the leaf.  From the attached and ingested egg a larva emerges. The larvae emerged from the attached egg as well as the attached larvae will make its way into the host.

A new genus and species. I collected three males from wild fennel flowers February 2002. Note the unusual long fifth abdominal tergite.

Once tachinid larvae are within the host they will feed on the host’s inner fluids the hemolymph. They will grow through several moults until they are ready to pupate. The larvae then may leave its host and pupate outside from the now dead host or pupate within the hosts pupae. Many tachinid species are host specific and parasitize only a single species, whilst others are specific on a genus or family. Others again are generalists and parasitize a variety of species within an order.

A new genus and species. I collected two females January 2005 and three males December 2007.

Such a species in New Zealand is for example the tachinid fly Trigonospila brevifacies, which was introduced from Australia into New Zealand for the control of the native apple leafroller. The parasitic trait of the Tachinidae plays an important part in the ecosystem by controlling or having an influence on their host’s life cycle and ultimately on the plant the tachinid hosts feeds upon. The adult flies feed on nectar and pollen and therefore are thought to act as important pollinators.

An unidentified Protohystrica sp.

Tachinid flies usually are easily recognizable. Species may vary in size, are usually very bristly and usually hold their wings wide open when resting. There are only a few less bristly species in New Zealand. The colours range from orange to brown, purple, metallic blue to black and the flies are easily confused with blowflies or houseflies to the untrained eye.