Winsome Fly
Istocheta aldrichi
This record describes Istocheta aldrichi (species). Recorded family: Tachinidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Introduced from Japan in 1922 to combat the Japanese Beetle
Wikipedia reference for Istocheta aldrichi: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Istocheta_aldrichi.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera (Flies)
- Superfamily
- Oestroidea
- Family
- Tachinidae (Parasitic Flies)
- Subfamily
- Exoristinae
- Tribe
- Blondeliini
- Genus
- Istocheta
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
native to Japan; introduced and established in ne. US (MA-PA-DC)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: hosts include the Japanese Beetle and maybe occasionally other scarabs
Life History
The egg-laying position of these flies is very specific, leading to a bias towards female beetles being parasitized and usually occurring when the beetles are mating (O'Hara, 2014).
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Named for John Merton Aldrich , who had first described the species. Aldrich's original name had to be replaced when the species was moved to a different genus.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Istocheta aldrichi. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Diptera includes over 150,000 described species of flies, mosquitoes, and midges. Mosquitoes are the deadliest animal on Earth (CDC). Malaria alone causes ~249 million cases and over 608,000 deaths annually, mostly children under 5 (WHO). Vector-borne diseases account for over 17% of all infectious diseases, causing 700,000+ deaths per year.
Ecological role of the group
Despite their disease impact, flies are critical decomposers and pollinators. Hoverflies alone pollinate hundreds of crop and wildflower species. Flies are also the primary food source for many birds, bats, and fish. Forensic entomology relies heavily on fly species for crime scene analysis.
Economic and practical significance of the group
In the U.S., vector-borne disease cases tripled between 2004-2016, with over 640,000 cases reported in that period (CDC). Tickborne diseases doubled from 22,000 to 48,000 annual reports. Globally, mosquito-borne diseases cost billions in healthcare and lost productivity.
Recorded sources for this group: WHO, CDC, PNAS. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Winsome Fly (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Beatriz Moisset; Additional contributions by Vox Sciurorum | Contributed by Beatriz Moisset; Additional contributions by Vox Sciurorum , v belov , marcie oconnor , Arturo Santos
Frequently Asked Questions About Winsome Fly
What is Winsome Fly?
Winsome Fly (Istocheta aldrichi) is a species in the family Tachinidae, within the order Diptera.
Where is Winsome Fly found?
Range: native to Japan; introduced and established in ne. US (MA-PA-DC)
What does Winsome Fly eat?
The diet of the Winsome Fly includes hosts include the Japanese Beetle and maybe occasionally other scarabs.
What is the life cycle of a Winsome Fly?
The egg-laying position of these flies is very specific, leading to a bias towards female beetles being parasitized and usually occurring when the beetles are mating (O'Hara, 2014).