Spiny Tachina Fly
Paradejeania rutilioides
This record describes Paradejeania rutilioides (species). Recorded family: Tachinidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
A large tachnid with a relatively wide and flattened abdomen. Posterior portion of abdominal tergites 3 and 4 each with a complete transverse row of bristles displaced anteriorly at midline (like a bell-curve) enclosing a small patch of bristles between it and posterior margin of tergite. Key to subspecies (from Arnaud 1951):
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera (Flies)
- Superfamily
- Oestroidea
- Family
- Tachinidae (Parasitic Flies)
- Subfamily
- Tachininae
- Tribe
- Tachinini
- Genus
- Paradejeania
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
w. NA (CO-BC) to Central America
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Adults take nectar, especially from late blooming Asteraceae . Also reported on flowers of the genera Rhus (Anacardiaceae) and Melilotus (Fabaceae). Larval host: Hemihyalea edwardsii , at least in part of its range (Hsu & Powell 1992)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Paradejeania rutilioides (Jaennicke 1867)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Paradejeania rutilioides. 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 Spiny Tachina Fly (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Chen Young; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Hartmut Wisch , Chuck Entz , Aaron Schusteff , Vox Sciurorum , kschnei , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Spiny Tachina Fly
What is Spiny Tachina Fly?
Spiny Tachina Fly (Paradejeania rutilioides) is a species in the family Tachinidae, within the order Diptera.
How do you identify Spiny Tachina Fly?
A large tachnid with a relatively wide and flattened abdomen. Posterior portion of abdominal tergites 3 and 4 each with a complete transverse row of bristles displaced anteriorly at midline (like a bell-curve) enclosing a small patch of bristles between it and posterior margin of tergite. Key to subspecies (from Arnaud 1951):
Where is Spiny Tachina Fly found?
Range: w. NA (CO-BC) to Central America
What does Spiny Tachina Fly eat?
The diet of the Spiny Tachina Fly includes Adults take nectar, especially from late blooming Asteraceae . Also reported on flowers of the genera Rhus (Anacardiaceae) and Melilotus (Fabaceae). Larval host: Hemihyalea edwardsii , at least in part of its range (Hsu & Powell 1992).