larvarum or mella

Classification · Remarks

Parasitic Flies Genus Exorista larvarum or mella - Exorista

Exorista larvarum or mella - Exorista - female

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Diptera (Flies)

No Taxon (Calyptratae)

Superfamily Oestroidea

Family Tachinidae (Parasitic Flies)

Subfamily Exoristinae

Tribe Exoristini

Genus Exorista

No Taxon larvarum or mella

Remarks

The native species Exorista mella and the introduced Exorista larvarum are very similar. These species have 4 postsutural dorsocentral bristles. Other species of Exorista in North America have 3. These species have no discal bristles on abdominal segments 3 and 4; some other species do.

Exorista larvarum is an important parasite of the spongy moth (Lymantria dispar). E. mella larvae are unable to penetrate the caterpillar's skin.

Contributed by John F. Carr on 30 June, 2017 - 1:55pm
Additional contributions by PaleoJon
Last updated 16 August, 2024 - 6:42pm

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