| Trigonospila | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Family: | Tachinidae |
| Subfamily: | Exoristinae |
| Tribe: | Blondeliini |
| Genus: | Trigonospila Pokorny, 1886 [1] |
| Type species | |
| Trigonospila picta Pokorny, 1886 [1] | |
| Synonyms | |
Trigonospila is a small genus of parasitic flies in the family Tachinidae. [8] [9] [10]
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.
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. brevifacies is a polyphagous parasitoid of the larvae of Lepidoptera and is native to the eastern states of Australia with a range extending from Tasmania to southern Queensland and possibly as far west as South Australia. T. brevifacies has been deployed in New Zealand as a biocontrol agent of a number of agricultural pests including the light brown apple moth Epiphyas postvittana (Lepidoptera : Tortricidae) and the potato tuber moth Phthorimaea operculella (Lepidoptera : Gelechiidae). [10]
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.
Houghia is a genus of flies in the family Tachinidae.
Campylocheta is a genus of flies in the family Tachinidae.
Chetogena is a genus of flies in the family Tachinidae.
Microphthalma is a genus of flies in the family Tachinidae.
Pandelleia is a genus of flies in the family Tachinidae.
Panzeria is a genus of flies in the family Tachinidae.
Rondania is a genus of flies in the family Tachinidae.
Siphona is a genus of flies in the family Tachinidae.
Uramya is a genus of flies in the family Tachinidae.
Vibrissina is a genus of flies in the family Tachinidae.
Voriini is a tribe of flies in the family Tachinidae. More junior homonyms exist of Wagneria than any other animal genus name.
Dexiinae is a subfamily of flies in the family Tachinidae.
Dexiini is a tribe of flies in the family Tachinidae.
Exoristinae is a subfamily of flies in the family Tachinidae. Most species are parasitoids of caterpillars.
Blondeliini is a tribe of parasitic flies in the family Tachinidae. Larvae are parasitoids of other insects, mostly beetles and caterpillars. Although nearly cosmopolitan, its greatest diversity is in the New World and especially in South America.
Goniini is a tribe of parasitic flies in the family Tachinidae. Members of Goniini are distinguished from other Tachinidae by laying small "microtype" eggs that hatch only after being ingested by a host.
Phasiinae is a subfamily of flies in the family Tachinidae. Except for the small tribe Strongygastrini members of this subfamily attack only Heteroptera.
Phasiini is a tribe of flies in the family Tachinidae. As a result of phylogenetic research, most members of this tribe were transferred to other tribes in the subfamily, leaving only the two genera Elomya and Phasia.
Leucostoma is a genus of flies in the family Tachinidae.
Tachinini is a tribe of flies in the family Tachinidae.