Tachinid Fly

Description:

Tachinid flies are amongst the largest families of true flies with approximately 8,000 species. All tachinid flies are parasitoids- organisms that, during their development, live in or on the body of a single host individual, eventually killing that individual. Tachinid flies deposit their eggs on the host or on nearby foliage where it will be eaten by the host. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae will enter the body of the host and feed on internal organs & reproductive organs for up to three weeks. Eggs can also overwinter in their hosts body. E. signifer's known hosts are Pinion moth larvae which feed on broadleaved trees and shrubs.

Habitat:

U.S. & Southern Canada. Hosts: Pinion moth larvae (Lithophane)

Notes:

A lateral view of this species can be seen here http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/105...