Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
for classification, see the PDF doc
Checklist of Tachinidae of America North of Mexico by O'Hara and Wood (2004)
Numbers
second-largest family in the order Diptera (behind Tipulidae)
1,345 species in 303 genera in North America listed at
Tachinidae of America North of Mexico by O'Hara and Wood
4 subfamilies in North America: Dexiinae, Exoristinae (=Goniinae), Phasiinae, Tachininae
Identification
Many tachinids are similar in general appearance to muscids and flesh flies; many are large, bristly, and beelike or wasplike in appearance.
Presence of a subscutellum is a useful character:
Habitat
Practically anywhere. Can be abundant on sunny hilltops looking for mates.
Food
Larval stages are parasitoids of other insects. Almost every order of insects is attacked by tachinids, including a few types of non-insect arthropods. Some tachinids are very specific and others can parasitize a wide variety of hosts. The most common hosts are caterpillars.
Life Cycle
Most tachinids deposit their eggs directly on the body of their host, and it is not uncommon to see caterpillars with several tachinid eggs on them. Upon hatching the larva usually burrows into its host and feeds internally. When fully developed it leaves the host and pupates nearby. Some tachinids lay their eggs on foliage; the larvae are flattened and are called planidia; they remain on the foliage until they find a suitable host.
Remarks
Bristle placements, facial conformation, and antennal shapes are helpful in identifying genera; images that show these features have a better chance of being identified.
Internet References
Tachinidae of America North of Mexico--listing all species and synonyms, arranged by subamily and tribe (James O'Hara and Monty Wood, 2004)--link updated 27 November 2009
