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°Trichopoda pennipes°° (18)
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Tachinid Fly: Trichopoda pennipes
Diptera Family Tachinidae
Trichopoda pennipes is a parasitoid of several true bugs. The adult fly is about the size of a house fly and may hover above squash plants in search of prey. It has a bright orange abdomen, velvety black head and thorax, and a fringe of short black hairs on the hind legs. The wings of male flies have a dark spot. The tip of the abdomen of female flies is black.
The family Tachinidae is considered the largest amongst all the diverse families of Diptera (two-winged true flies). Recent science shows approximately 8,200 species worldwide. Adult tachinid flies are diverse in appearance, but they are generally known for their bristly facies. Archytas exhibits prototypical tachinid features, including a large, metallic-colored abdomen covered with bristles. Many other tachinids, however, are sparsely bristled and exhibit very pale coloration. All Tachinids share the parasitoid habit, and almost all of them are endoparasites of of other insects; in spite of their varied appearance all species of Tachinidae are alike in this characteristic.
Insects most commonly parasitized by the tachinids are the larvae of the Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) and the adults and larval form of the beetles, or Coleoptera. Other tachinids attack true bugs of the Hemiptera (Heteroptera), larva of Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, ants, sawflies), or adults of Orthoptera (grasshoppers, katydids, crickets and their kin). Rarely do Tachinidae parasitize other Diptera or any other groups of arthropods, however, some of these flies are known to attack woodlice (Isopoda).
in Ws a lateral view
Make: NIKON CORPORATION
Model: NIKON D40X
Software: Paint Shop Pro Photo 11,20
Exposure Time: 10/150 sec
F-Stop: f/18.0
ISO Speed Ratings: 200
Focal Length: 105 mm
Date Taken: 2009-10-17 12:29
Metering Mode: Pattern
File Size: 64 kb |
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