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Tachina fera (Linnaeus, 1761) commonly known as a “Tachinid Fly”
Family: Tachinidae
Length: 9 to 16mm wingspan: 16 to 27mm
Season May to September.
This species is very similar to Tachina magnicornis,
Not easy to tell these two species apart, as the markings on T. fera and T. magnicornis appear to be the same and both do vary. Because of this, images below could be showing both species, although T. fera is more common.
T. magnicornis tends to be slightly smaller.
Common and widespread in the United Kingdom. Also, it is found over the entire Palaearctic ecozone. Across most of Europe, as far north as Scandinavia as far south as North Africa. Also, into Northern Asia, Western Russia, East China, Mongolia, Japan and Korea.
Habitat: Prefers damp locations with plenty of moist vegetation which includes… Meadows, woodlands, Hedgerows, Heathland and suburban gardens Feeding mainly on umbellifers and waterside plants.
Tachina fera species is bivoltine (having two broods a year)
Tachina fera larvae are parasites of caterpillars, preying mostly on various moth species (mainly families belonging to Noctuidae and Lymantriidae) but will also seek other young insects. The female, lays her eggs on leaves that are a potential food source for various species of caterpillars. When the eggs hatch, a young larva will enter the soft body of a nearby caterpillar (One larva per caterpillar). The larvae will then begin to feed on the insides of the caterpillar, eventually killing it when it starts to feed on the host’s main internal organs. This procedure being different from a parasitic wasp, as the female wasp injects her egg directly into the host caterpillar.
Tachina fera being a very important species into helping to control many forest pests. Pupation takes place in soil litter, soon after the host caterpillar dies; depending on climate the adult fly will emerge about two weeks after.
Read MoreFamily: Tachinidae
Length: 9 to 16mm wingspan: 16 to 27mm
Season May to September.
This species is very similar to Tachina magnicornis,
Not easy to tell these two species apart, as the markings on T. fera and T. magnicornis appear to be the same and both do vary. Because of this, images below could be showing both species, although T. fera is more common.
T. magnicornis tends to be slightly smaller.
Common and widespread in the United Kingdom. Also, it is found over the entire Palaearctic ecozone. Across most of Europe, as far north as Scandinavia as far south as North Africa. Also, into Northern Asia, Western Russia, East China, Mongolia, Japan and Korea.
Habitat: Prefers damp locations with plenty of moist vegetation which includes… Meadows, woodlands, Hedgerows, Heathland and suburban gardens Feeding mainly on umbellifers and waterside plants.
Tachina fera species is bivoltine (having two broods a year)
Tachina fera larvae are parasites of caterpillars, preying mostly on various moth species (mainly families belonging to Noctuidae and Lymantriidae) but will also seek other young insects. The female, lays her eggs on leaves that are a potential food source for various species of caterpillars. When the eggs hatch, a young larva will enter the soft body of a nearby caterpillar (One larva per caterpillar). The larvae will then begin to feed on the insides of the caterpillar, eventually killing it when it starts to feed on the host’s main internal organs. This procedure being different from a parasitic wasp, as the female wasp injects her egg directly into the host caterpillar.
Tachina fera being a very important species into helping to control many forest pests. Pupation takes place in soil litter, soon after the host caterpillar dies; depending on climate the adult fly will emerge about two weeks after.
