Triarthria setipennis
This record describes Triarthria setipennis (species). Recorded family: Tachinidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Arista with three nearly equal segments (see Manual of Nearctic Diptera page 1231 figure 132). Face with downcurved bristles well separated from frontal bristles. Vein M with obtuse bend similar to Siphonini. R1 and R4+5 hairy along most of length. Antenna sometimes orange near insertion of arista. Abdomen with discal and marginal bristles on tergites 3-5, none on tergite 1+2. Introduced to Portland, Oregon in the 1920s to control the European earwig Forficula auricularia . Widespread in northern USA and southern Canada.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera (Flies)
- Superfamily
- Oestroidea
- Family
- Tachinidae (Parasitic Flies)
- Subfamily
- Tachininae
- Tribe
- Bigonichetini
- Genus
- Triarthria
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Possibly named after the rows of bristles along veins R1 and R4+5.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Triarthria setipennis. 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 Triarthria setipennis (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by John F. Carr; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset