Tachinid Fly
Tachinidae
This insect was photographed using a Nikon CoolPix 990 in Aug. 2002 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Tachinidae -- a Family of Parasitoid Flies
Tachinids may look like typical flies but are anything but. Most are parasites
of other insects developing as a maggot on or within their host. A morbid
existence from the human perspective, yet very beneficial to many human
endeavors such as agriculture. Caterpillars, for example, are a frequent host
and many are destroyed thus curtailing crop loss. Most species are rather
specific in their host preference relying on usually one or a few closely
related insects/spiders.
The tachinid fly at right emerged from a Queen Butterfly caterpillar.