Istocheta aldrichi or winsome fly is a species of fly in the family Tachinidae. Originally from Japan, it has been introduced in North America in 1922 as a biocontrol to combat the Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica). It is established in northeastern North America, including Canada and the USA. Larvae pupate inside the host beetle after hatching from an egg laid on the beetle's pronotum. Historical host range catalogues and recently collected crowdsourced data suggests that this fly is highly specific to Japanese beetle and probably does not attack other beetle species.
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it venomous or poisonous?
We have no record of Winsome Fly being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera
- Family
- Tachinidae
- Genus
- Istocheta
- Species
- Istocheta aldrichi
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