The genus has a worldwide distribution, but is particularly common in Australia. In Australia, T. brevifacies and T. cingulata are common within their respective ranges and can often be found resting on vegetation. They have been reported in some environments to be the most common conspicuous fly species.[11] In Australia, Trigonospila have been collected in all mainland states and territories, Tasmania, and some large offshore islands including Kangaroo Island in South Australia, and Brampton Island in Queensland.
Identification
Trigonospila are strikingly patterned flies; primarily black with pearly whitish to golden transverse bars on the thorax and abdomen. There are two whitish bars on the thorax; one adjacent to the transverse suture, and the second adjacent to the scutellum. There may also be a white triangle on the tip of the scutellum, and the subscutellum is usually white. Abdominal colouration varies between species however it is typical that there are three whitish bars on the abdomen; one at the anterior margin of each the third, fourth, and fifth abdominal tergites. The width of these bars differs between species.[11]
T. cingulata and T. fasciata are believed to be parasitoids of chrysomelid beetles in the genus Paropsis,[10] some of which may be pests of agriculture or forestry.
↑ Brauer, F.; Bergenstamm, J. E. von (1891). "Die Zweiflugler des Kaiserlichen Museums zu Wien. V. Vorarbeiten zu einer Monographie der Muscaria Schizometopa (exclusive Anthomyidae)". F. Tempsky, Wien: 142.
1 2 Townsend, C. H. T. (1933). "New genera and species of Old World oestromuscoid flies". Journal of the New York Entomological Society. 40: 439–479.
↑ Pandellé, Louis (1895). "Études sur les Muscides de France. IIe partie (suite)". Revue d'entomologie. 13: 1–113.
1 2 Reinhard, H.J. (1943). "New Tachinidae from northeastern United States (Diptera)". Bulletin of the Brooklyn Entomological Society. 38: 78–90.
↑ O’Hara, James E.; Shannon, J. Henderson; D. Monty, Wood (5 March 2020). "World Checklist of the Tachinidae"(PDF). Tachinidae Resources. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
1 2 3 Crosskey, R.W. (1973). "A conspectus of the Tachinidae (Diptera) of Australia, including keys to the supraspecific taxa and taxonomic and host catalogues". Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History), Entomology Series. Supplement 21: –1221.
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