Tachina Fly

Trichopoda pennipes

Appears: Adult flies will appear in late spring or early summer.

Beneficial: The larvae of the tachina fly feed upon only living insects such as leaf eating caterpillars. These flies are enemies of many major garden pests and because of this, they have been introduced into North America as bio controls to keep pest populations down. These include but not limited to the squash bug and stinkbug. Adult tachina flies drink nectar, especially from wild carrot and meadowsweet, serving as pollinators to benefit your garden in a second manner. More Info: including a review of how we have spread this fly in our country in an example of biological control from Cornell University.

Size: 6.5mm – 12.7 mm