Insect · GBIF taxon 1475844
Winsome Fly
Istocheta aldrichiAlso known as Japanese Beetle Parasite Fly, Winsome Tachinid Fly
Winsome flies are small, bristly tachinid flies that serve as a vital natural defense against the destructive Japanese beetle. Females seek out active beetles and glue a single white egg directly onto the beetle's thorax, which seals the host's fate as the hatching larva burrows inside. These active, diurnal insects are frequently seen on sunlit foliage where they feed on nectar and honeydew while hunting for hosts.
ParasitoidBiocontrolDiurnal
- diet
- Nectar and honeydew for adults; Japanese beetle tissues for larvae
- family
- Tachinidae
- threats
- Broad-spectrum pesticide applications and loss of flowering nectar sources
- life Span
- 2 to 4 weeks as active adults
Not Evaluated
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- Look for the eggs: Scan the thorax of Japanese beetles in midsummer for tiny, white, oval eggs.
- Check flowering plants: Search for adults feeding on nectar-rich flowers like wild carrot or goldenrod.
- Avoid pesticides: Maintain a chemical-free garden to protect these beneficial parasitoids.