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Members of this
family range from small to large with wingspans up to 35 millimetres
depending on the species. Tachinids can be distinguished from most
other flies as the third division of the thorax has an enlarged
section known as the 'subscutellum'. Most species have stout bodies
covered in bristles and are either grey or black, although some
display bright metallic colouring. Tachinids are considered to be
a beneficial family of flies as all larval species are parasites
of other insects, including some insects which are known to be pest
species.
Senostoma
species are distinctive as they have elongated mouthparts and long,
thin legs. These species lay their eggs on or near a host insect,
and when laid directly on a host can be of adult or larval stage.
The larvae either hatch and burrow into the body of host or are
eaten as eggs and hatch inside. The larvae eat the host from the
inside resulting in its death.
For
more tachinid species visit the Australian
Insect Common
Names
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