Hedgehog Fly or Tachinid Fly

Description:

Been waiting three months for this fly to visit again! Realy ugly bugger!

Notes:

Hedgehog Fly (Dejeania sp.) Family: Tachinidae Or also know as Tachinid flies. Medium sized flies often covered in strong bristles. Mostly ID can be ensured only under microscope. Adults feed on nectar and have a peculiar buzzing sound in flight. All species’ larvae are internal parasites of insects. Larvae feed first on non-vital organs of the host and attack vitals only when they are ready to pupate. Butterfly and moths are the most common hosts. Females may lay eggs directly into the host or on a plant the larvae will find their way to a host. They are an important species agriculturally, as they suppress populations of injurious moth caterpillars. There are 377 species in South Africa.