Nowickia ferox (Panzer, 1809)
Family: Tachinidae.
Length: Up to 15mm
Flight Season: June till October.
Nowickia ferox is a parasitoid fly, the “Dark Arches” (Apamea monoglypha) moth, is the prime host and the only moth parasitised by this species of fly. Because of this, it is totally dependent on Dark Arches survival and distribution. Fortunately, the moth is regarded as a common species in the southern counties of Britain. (not so common in the north). It is not present in the most Northern parts of Europe and the most Southerly countries of Europe. In the East, it can be found into Central Asia, the same countries Nowickia ferox, can be found.
Like most other Tachinid flies, the female Nowickia ferox lays her eggs in other insect larvae, which happen to be the caterpillars of the Dark Arches Moth. When the eggs hatch, the larvae (known as maggots) feed and develop inside the host caterpillar, then emerge to pupate.
Habitat: Woodland clearings and edges, riverside floral plants, meadows, hedgerows, heathlands, parks and gardens.
Adults feed on pollen and nectar, especially the “Centaurea” genus of plants, (thistle like flowering plants).