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
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Nectar
- Honeydew
- Japanese beetle
Predators
- Spiders
- Insectivorous birds
- Robber flies
ThreatsBroad-spectrum pesticide applications and loss of flowering nectar sources
HabitatsGardens, agricultural fields, meadows, and deciduous woodlands
Life span2 to 4 weeks as active adults
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyTachinidae
- SpeciesIstocheta aldrichi
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- 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.
Host Species no rights reserved, uploaded by bgirardot · cc0
Image unavailableCo-Biocontrol Agent 
Close Relative (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Judy Gallagher · cc-by-sa
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