Tachinid Fly

Widely distributed in gardens, meadows, and forests worldwide where flowers and host insects are present.

Adults primarily feed on nectar and pollen. Larvae are parasitoids that feed on the internal tissues of other insects, such as caterpillars or beetles.

They are active flyers often seen hovering near flowers. Females have varying methods of placing eggs, including laying them directly on the host or on vegetation meant to be eaten by the host.

They provide significant ecological benefits as natural biological control agents of agricultural and garden pests; they are harmless to humans as they do not bite or sting.