Tachinid Species Research Articles

Hemp regulates the fitness of corn earworm (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) and its tachinid (Diptera) parasitoids.

Pest management on hemp is still in its infancy, and biological control options are limited. Helicoverpa zea (corn earworm) is one of the key pests of hemp cultivated outdoors, especially on cultivars grown for cannabinoids and grain. In a three-year study, we assessed the effect of diet on the performance of H. zea and its tachinid parasitoids. Parasitized (bearing fly eggs) and unparasitized (without eggs) H. zea larvae were fed on hemp flowers or an artificial diet. Five tachinid species parasitized H. zea larvae, but the most abundant species were Winthemia rufopicta (68.8%) and Lespesia aletiae (28.3%). Overall, 55.2% of H. zea larvae bearing tachinid eggs died, while the mortality of unparasitized larvae reached 24.7%. The success of tachinids increased by 2-fold when the host larvae were fed on an artificial diet. Our results demonstrated that high protein food (artificial diet), intensity of parasitism, and caterpillar size play a role in the fitness of both the herbivores (H. zea) and its tachinid parasitoids. These findings have important implications for understanding biological control mechanisms and open new insights into the impact of landscape variation on plant-herbivore-parasitoid interactions. This study contains supporting evidence that makes both Winthemia rufopicta and Lespesia aletiae excellent candidates for biological control programs against H. zea, a key pest of hemp in the United States.

Unusual rearrangements of mitogenomes in Diptera revealed by comparative analysis of 135 tachinid species (Insecta, Diptera, Tachinidae)

The Tachinidae is one of the most speciose families in Diptera, and the exclusively parasitoid species play an important role in regulating populations of many herbivorous insects in ecosystems, including many agricultural pests. To better comprehend the characteristics and evolution of the mitochondrial genome for the Tachinidae, we are adding a massive amount of new molecular data by assembling the mitogenomes for 71 genera and 135 species from all four tachinid subfamilies through next-generation sequencing, and we are presenting the most comprehensive mitogenomic phylogenetic analysis of this family so far. Extensive rearrangements observed in the mitogenome of Admontia podomyia (Exoristinae) are unique for the entire suborder Cyclorrhapha. The rearrangement pattern suggests that the process involved a tandem duplication of the complete mitogenome, followed by both random and nonrandom loss of one copy of each gene. Additionally, five minor mitogenome rearrangements are discovered and described in three subfamilies. We present the largest species-level phylogenetic hypothesis for Tachinidae to date, based on mitogenomes of 152 species of Tachinidae, representing all four subfamilies and with five non-tachinid outgroups. Our analyses support the monophyly of the Tachinidae and most tribes and genera were recovered with good support, but the higher-level phylogenetic relationships within Tachinidae were poorly resolved, indicating that mitogenome data alone are not enough to unambiguously resolve the deeper phylogenetic relationships within Tachinidae.

Türkiye’deki bazı hemipter konukçulardan elde edilen tachinid (Diptera: Tachinidae) parazitoitler

This study was carried out to determine tachinid (Diptera: Tachinidae) parasitoids obtained from some hemipterous hosts in Adana, Ankara, Hatay, Konya and Uşak provinces of Türkiye between 2001 and 2020. For this purpose, adult hemipters were collected from perennial arboreal and annual herbaceous plants. The samples were brought to the laboratory and cultured on the relevant host plant material. As a result of the study, 11 tachinid species were determined from 10 different hemipterous hosts. Of these, four parasitoid-host couples are new records. These were Aelia rostrata Boheman, 1852 (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and Scantius aegyptius (L., 1758) (Hemiptera: Pyrrhocoridae) for Gymnosoma clavata (Rohdendorf, 1947) (Diptera: Tachinidae), Dolycoris baccarum (L., 1758) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) for Eulabidogaster setifacies (Rondani, 1861) (Diptera: Tachinidae) and Piezodorus lituratus (Fabricius, 1794) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) for Cylindromyia rubida (Loew, 1854) (Diptera: Tachinidae). Also, eight new hosts were reported for the first time in Türkiye. In addition, host information and distributions of each parasitoid are presented in the study.

Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of Gymnosoma dolycoridis (Diptera, Tachinidae) and phylogenetic analysis

The complete mitogenome of Gymnosoma dolycoridis Dupuis, 1960 was determined in this study. It is 15,185 bp in length, consisting of 13 protein-coding genes (PCG), 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes and one non-coding control region. The A + T content of the mitogenome is 78.5%. A maximum-likelihood phylogenetic tree built on 13 PCGs of 15 tachinid species indicated that Gymnosoma dolycoridis is clustered with other members of the subfamily Phasiinae as conventional taxonomy predicted.

Ultrastructure of antennal sensilla of <i>Cistogaster globosa</i> (Fabricius, 1775) и <i>Cylindromyia interrupta</i> (Meigen, 1824) (Diptera: Tachinidae)

The paper describes the ultrastructure of antennal sensilla among two species of tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae). For this purpose, the antennae of the adult flies Cistogaster globosa (Fabricius, 1775) and Cylindromyia interrupta (Meigen, 1824) were examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The choice of antennae as structures for studying the receptor organs is explained by the fact that among insects they are the main site of sensilla localization. There is also a high degree of oligomerization of the antenna segments, which determines the concentration of sensilla on the apical segment in the short-tied circular-seam Diptera (Brachycera-Cyclorrhapha), to which the family Tachinidae also belongs. Most of antennal sensilla are morphologically independent elementary sensory formations. Each type of such sensory formations is responsible for one or more functions. Three types of sensilla were identified (trichoid, basiconic and coeloconical) as a result of the analysis of two tachinid species antennae. Trichoid and basiconic sensilla were found among the tachinid fly Cistogaster globosa, and trichoid and coeloconical sensilla were found among Cylindromyia interrupta. A large number of microtrichia was also found on the antenna elements in both tachinid species. Original SEM-images of the ultrastructural organization of the tachinid sensory system are provided; their localization and number per unit area are shown. The obtained data expand our understanding of the role of these morphological structures in the orientation of tachinid fly in the implementation of the reproductive strategy: search for a sexual partner, search for a potential host habitat, and search for a host.

Tachinid (Diptera: Tachinidae) parasitoids reared from lepidopterous and hymenopterous hosts in southern forests of Turkey

This study was conducted to determine the tachinid (Diptera: Tachinidae) parasitoids of lepidopterous and hymenopterous hosts from forests of southern Turkey (Adana, Hatay, Karaman, Mersin, Nigde and Osmaniye) in 2002-2019. For this purpose, host larvae were collected from forests and herbaceous plant communities and brought to the laboratory with their food-plants. As a result of the study, six tachinid species were reared from nine hosts. Four new hosts for Turkey were recorded. These are Vanessa cardui (L., 1758) and Polygonia c-album (L., 1758) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) for Sturmia bella (Meigen, 1824) (Diptera: Tachinidae), Utetheisa pulchella (L., 1758) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) for Exorista segregata (Rondani, 1859) (Diptera: Tachinidae) and Thaumetopoea wilkinsoni Tams, 1924 (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) for Compsilura concinnata (Meigen, 1824) (Diptera: Tachinidae). In addition, two parasitoid-host couples were recorded for the second time in the world. These are U. pulchella for E. segregata and T. wilkinsoni for C. concinnata .

Ecology of the Dock Bug Coreus marginatus orientalis (Kir.) (Heteroptera, Coreidae), a Host of Parasitic Dipterans (Diptera, Tachinidae), in the South of Primorskii Territory

Data on the habitats, phenology, development cycle, and trophic associations of the Far Eastern subspecies of the dock bug Coreus marginatus orientalis (Kiritshenko, 1916) (Heteroptera, Coreidae) in the south of Primorskii Territory are presented. New host plants for C. m. orientalis were revealed. Parasitic flies of the family Tachinidae were reared in the laboratory from the infested bugs. Data on parasitism of five tachinid species of the genera Clytiomya, Ectophasia, Elomya, and Phasia (subfamily Phasiinae) on C. m. orientalis are reported for the first time; C. marginatus is recorded as a new host for three tachinid species.

Annotated check-list of the family Tachinidae (Diptera: Calyptratae: Oestroidea) in the Canary Islands

Summary A commented check-list of the tachinid species inhabiting the Canary Islands (Spain) is provided, with special emphasis on hosts species and floral resources. Nine new local records are provided and Cylindromyia rufipes is reported for the first time for the Canary Islands, thus increasing the species number to 52. Zoogeographic analysis of the area revealed that there are differences in chorotype composition among islands, with the easternmost islands being richer in Mediterranean species and poorer in endemics. These differences may be due to ecological differences between the easternmost island and the remaining islands. Relevance regarding influence of tachinid as pollinators is discussed.

Essential dependence on wild pollination service: a medicinal plant under threat Minthostachys verticillata (Lamiaceae)

Fil: Glinos, Evangelina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Cordoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biologia Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Fisicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biologia Vegetal; Argentina

Biodiversity Surveyand Molecular Identification of the Phasiinae (Diptera: Tachinidae) of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA

In contribution to the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory, a survey of the subfamily Phasiinae (Diptera: Tachinidae) was conducted in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Phasiines are brightly colored endoparasitoid flies that primarily attack true bugs (Heteroptera) and can be important pollinators in meadow habitats. Collections were made from August to October over a two-year period at two sites: Purchase Knob in Haywood Co., North Carolina in 2013 and Cades Cove in Blount Co., Tennessee in 2014. Phasiines were collected by sweep net and Malaise traps (baited with host pheromone lures and unbaited). Species identifications were made using updated morphological keys, comparisons to identified specimens in collections, and sequence comparisons to known species using the nuclear coding gene MCS. In total, 221 specimens representing 27 tachinid species were collected. Of these, 21 species are newly recorded from the GSMNP, five are new records for Tennessee, and four are new records for North Carolina. All 12 eastern Nearctic phasiine genera were represented. Phasiines of the genus Gymnoclytia were shown to be exceptionally attracted to pheromones of the brown stink bug (Euschistus spp.).

Порівняльно-морфологічний аналіз будови яйцекладів, сперматек та личинок 1-го віку самок тахін деяких видів триби Voriini (Diptera, Tachinidae).

The results of study of morphology of genital structures of tachinids’ flies of Voriini tribes are presented in a paper. Indication of 18 signs of postabdomen, spermathecae, and larvae of the 1st age are analyzed. The obtained data allow more reasonably to interpret a differentiation of taxa of generic level and their phylogeny. The study of the structures of females’ sex system and larvae of the 1st age allows to identify adaptive processes of evolutionary development of females postabdomen that is related to a way of infection of hosts, and to reveal a direction of evolutionary transformations of these structures. According to structural features of the genital structure of females of Voriini tribe proved to be quite diverse. Some genital structures of Voriini is a similar to Dexiini tribe: complete reduction of terminal tergite; reduction VIII and the presence of the whole VI, VII, and sometimes VIII tergites; reduction of chaetae on the surface of VIII sternite, and appearance of sensory pores on it. Channels of spermathecae of some Voriini representatives (Eriothrix, Peteina, Thelaira, Stomina genera) are connected with vagina by one general short duct like Dexiini species, also. Among these groups Eriothrix is divided by the structure of capsules of the spermathecae, and Stomina by complete reduction of VIII and terminal tergites, and VIII sternite. A connection of the channels of spermathecae with vagina does not undergo adaptive changes and reflects the connections of high-ranking taxa. Thus, the morphological features of the genital structures of females and larvae of the 1st age can be used lawfully with the morphological features of the imago in a clarification of family relationships, species and genera differences, as well as in the study of phylogeny. Identification keys for 12 species of tachinids of Voriini tribe were made on the basis of the analyzed 22 morphological characteristics of spermathecae and ovipositors

Catalogue of the Tachinidae of Egypt (Diptera: Oestroidea)

Tachinid flies are an important group of parasitoids in their larval stage, and all their hosts are of the Arthropoda, almost exclusively other insects, including important insect pests in agriculture and forestry. All known Egyptian taxa of the family Tachinidae are systematically catalogued. Synonymies, type localities, type depositories, world distributions by biogeographic realm(s) and country, Egyptian localities, and dates of collection are provided. A total of 72 tachinid species belonging to 42 genera, 15 tribes, and 4 subfamilies has been treated.

Contribution to the tachinid fauna of southwestern Turkey (Diptera: Tachinidae)

SummaryFaunistic records for 139 tachinid species from southwestern Turkey (Muğla province and adjacent Aydın, Burdur, Denizli and Antalya provinces) are given. Another 17 species of the study area are known only from published records. The known fauna of Tachinidae of southwestern Turkey thus comprises 156 species. Zoogeographic analysis of the study area revealed that tachinids belong to 29 chorological categories, divided into two supergroups: 122 species (78.2%) are more eurybiontic, and also distributed in northern parts of the Palaearctic region (19 chorological categories belong here), whereas 34 species (21.8%) are distinctly thermophilic, and have a southern type of distribution (10 chorological categories are distinguished). Altogether, 52 species (33.3%) are recorded for the first time from Turkey.

Specialised generalists? Food web structure of a tropical tachinid‐caterpillar community

AbstractMost insect species remain unknown and for most described species, we know nothing about their ecology and interactions. Understanding the structure of species interaction webs can provide insight into geographic patterns and ecological drivers of diversity, the stability of communities, and energy flow through ecological systems.We analysed a tachinid parasitoid‐caterpillar food web from the Ecuadorian Andes based on >70 000 caterpillar collections. Our goals were to assess how host taxon and feeding niche affects parasitism by flies and wasps, evaluate perceptions of broad diet breadth in tachinids, characterise the structure of the food web, and assess how sample size affects inferences about community structure.We found high levels of parasitism (>28%) by tachinid and wasp parasitoids and a rich tachinid community (279 spp.). Concealed caterpillars experienced low parasitism by tachinids and were more likely to be attacked by species with indirect oviposition. Indirect ovipositing tachinids had greater host ranges, but this is confounded with tachinid phylogeny. Caterpillar families exhibited nearly opposite patterns of susceptibility to parasitism by tachinids and wasps. Network metrics indicate that this tachinid‐host community is relatively compartmentalised and nested, and though some taxa display broad host ranges, the network as a whole is moderately specialised due to constrained host ranges of many tachinid species.This study establishes an exemplar tropical tachinid‐host food web, providing insight into the diversity and interactions of these important parasitoids. Additional studies are needed to determine how these interactions vary across environmental and geographic gradients.

DNA Barcodes for the Northern European Tachinid Flies (Diptera: Tachinidae).

This data release provides COI barcodes for 366 species of parasitic flies (Diptera: Tachinidae), enabling the DNA based identification of the majority of northern European species and a large proportion of Palearctic genera, regardless of the developmental stage. The data will provide a tool for taxonomists and ecologists studying this ecologically important but challenging parasitoid family. A comparison of minimum distances between the nearest neighbors revealed the mean divergence of 5.52% that is approximately the same as observed earlier with comparable sampling in Lepidoptera, but clearly less than in Coleoptera. Full barcode-sharing was observed between 13 species pairs or triplets, equaling to 7.36% of all species. Delimitation based on Barcode Index Number (BIN) system was compared with traditional classification of species and interesting cases of possible species oversplits and cryptic diversity are discussed. Overall, DNA barcodes are effective in separating tachinid species and provide novel insight into the taxonomy of several genera.

Telipogon peruvianus (Orchidaceae) Flowers Elicit Pre-Mating Behaviour in Eudejeania (Tachinidae) Males for Pollination.

Several neotropical orchid genera have been proposed as being sexually deceptive; however, this has been carefully tested in only a few cases. The genus Telipogon has long been assumed to be pollinated by male tachinid flies during pseudocopulatory events but no detailed confirmatory reports are available. Here, we have used an array of methods to elucidate the pollination mechanism in Telipogon peruvianus. The species presents flowers that have a mean floral longevity of 33 days and that are self-compatible, although spontaneous self-pollination does not occur. The flowers attract males of four tachinid species but only the males of an undescribed Eudejeania (Eudejeania aff. browni; Tachinidae) species are specific pollinators. Males visit the flowers during the first few hours of the day and the pollination success is very high (42% in one patch) compared with other sexually deceptive species. Female-seeking males are attracted to the flowers but do not attempt copulation with the flowers, as is usually described in sexually deceptive species. Nevertheless, morphological analysis and behavioural tests have shown an imperfect mimicry between flowers and females suggesting that the attractant stimulus is not based only on visual cues, as long thought. Challenging previous conclusions, our chemical analysis has confirmed that flowers of Telipogon release volatile compounds; however, the role of these volatiles in pollinator behaviour remains to be established. Pollinator behaviour and histological analyses indicate that Telipogon flowers possess scent-producing structures throughout the corolla. Our study provides the first confirmed case of (i) a sexually deceptive species in the Onciidinae, (ii) pollination by pre-copulatory behaviour and (iii) pollination by sexual deception involving tachinid flies.

Tachinid (Diptera: Tachinidae) parasitoids of spotted ash looper (Abraxas pantaria) in Krka National Park in Croatia

Background and purpose: Spotted ash looper , Abraxas pantaria (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) causes defoliations of narrow-leaved ash ( Fraxinus angustifolia ) in Croatia, mainly in Krka National Park. Since controlling pests with insecticides is not possible in protected areas, biological pest control might be a valuable option. The first step in the study of its application is the research on hosts and their natural enemies. Not much is known about the parasitoid spectrum of A. pantaria in Croatia, so the aim of this research is to identify the parasitoid species which could influence the population density of this potential forest pest. Materials and methods: Pupae of A. pantaria were studied in 2010 at several locations along the River Krka in Krka National Park. This area was chosen because total defoliation of ash was observed in 2010. Results and conclusions: Five tachinid species were reared from Abraxas pantaria : Phryxe nemea , Bactromyia aurulenta , Senometopia sp., Pales pavida and Eurysthaea scutellaris . All species are generalist parasitoids. Phryxe nemea is the first record for this host.

Tachinid (Diptera: Tachinidae) parasitoids of spotted ash looper (Abraxas pantaria) in Krka National Park in Croatia

Background and purpose: Spotted ash looper, Abraxas pantaria (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) causes defoliations of narrow-leaved ash (Fraxinus angustifolia) in Croatia, mainly in Krka National Park. Since controlling pests with insecticides is not possible in protected areas, biological pest control might be a valuable option. The first step in the study of its application is the research on hosts and their natural enemies. Not much is known about the parasitoid spectrum of A. pantaria in Croatia, so the aim of this research is to identify the parasitoid species which could influence the population density of this potential forest pest. Materials and methods: Pupae of A. pantaria were studied in 2010 at several locations along the River Krka in Krka National Park. This area was chosen because total defoliation of ash was observed in 2010. Results and conclusions: Five tachinid species were reared from Abraxas pantaria: Phryxe nemea, Bactromyia aurulenta, Senometopia sp., Pales pavida and Eurysthaea scutellaris. All species are generalist parasitoids. Phryxe nemea is the first record for this host.

Biology and host range testing of Triarthria setipennis and Ocytata pallipes (Diptera: Tachinidae) for the control of the European earwig (Forficula auricularia)

ABSTRACTThe European earwig (Forficula auricularia) is an invasive species in the Falkland Islands, causing considerable problems for local horticulture, as well threatening indigenous ecosystems. To assess the potential of a classical biological control introduction two parasitoid fly species, Triarthria setipennis and Ocytata pallipes (Diptera: Tachinidae), were collected from sites in southern and northern England and then tested for their suitability as earwig biological controls at Egham, UK. Both species had previously been introduced into North America for earwig control however little is known of their long-term efficacy and host specificity. Host range tests including both target and non-target species were done. As there are no native Dermaptera on the Falkland Islands, tests were restricted to the field cricket Gryllus assimilis and the Dubia cockroach Blaptica dubia, as representatives of insect orders phylogenetically closely related to earwigs. A second cricket species (Gryllus bimaculatus) was included in an egg-depositing experiment for O. pallipes. Both tachinid species successfully parasitised and emerged from earwigs under laboratory conditions but no signs of parasitisation and development were observed in either the cricket or cockroach.

Linnaemya bergstroemi n. sp. (Diptera: Tachinidae)--a new parasitoid fly from the Finnish Lapland.

A new tachinid species, Linnaemya bergstroemi n. sp., is described from the Finnish Lapland. The new species closely resembles the Nearctic species Linnaemya anthracina Thompson, but can be readily distinguished from it by the characters described in this paper. The taxonomic placement of the two species is discussed in the light of morphological and CoI sequence similarities with Linnaemya Robineau-Desvoidy species in the subgenera Ophina Robineau-Desvoidy and Bonellimyia Townsend. Known aspects of the new species' biology and distribution are reviewed.