Medina barbata
This record describes Medina barbata (species). Recorded family: Tachinidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Only member of the genus found outside of Eastern North America.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera (Flies)
- Superfamily
- Oestroidea
- Family
- Tachinidae (Parasitic Flies)
- Subfamily
- Exoristinae
- Tribe
- Blondeliini
- Genus
- Medina
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Distributed across the entire continent, specimens known from Alaska to New Brunswick in the North and from California to Florida in the South.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Parasitoid of several Chrysomelidae species. Known hosts include Altica, Disonycha, and Helocassis.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Medina barbata. 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 Medina barbata (4)
Photo credits: Contributed by Bennett Grappone
Frequently Asked Questions About Medina barbata
What is Medina barbata?
Medina barbata is a species in the family Tachinidae, within the order Diptera.
Where is Medina barbata found?
Range: Distributed across the entire continent, specimens known from Alaska to New Brunswick in the North and from California to Florida in the South.
What does Medina barbata eat?
The diet of the Medina barbata includes Parasitoid of several Chrysomelidae species. Known hosts include Altica, Disonycha, and Helocassis..