#ectophasia

[razehider]

i don't know the identity of the tachinid flies that parasitize Graphosoma italicum around here (probably Ectophasia), but they're common enough that finding eggs on a host is not the rarest thing ever, and in fact i've posted some before. this was my first time seeing one on a mating individual though, and it's interesting to think about - if this is a male, at least he did his job before the inevitable. if it's a female, it's unlikely she can lay her eggs before the appearance of a very hungry baby fly

(July 8th, 2025)

[razehider]

tachinids can be assholes, but the Ectophasia individuals i find around here tend to be very relaxed. this E. leucoptera was an exception, and its frantic movements ended up preventing me from getting a clear shot of the beautiful white wings it's named after. we can admire its white sideburns instead

(July 5th, 2025)

[razehider]

here's a very pretty Ectophasia for those who need more tachinids in their life (everyone). in an already very recognizable family, these are some of the flashiest, and thankfully very calm as well

these flies and their relatives are conspicuous parasitoids of hemipterans. the breath mints at the base of this Graphosoma italicum's wings are tachinid eggs just like the one our blonde protagonist once came out of

(October 19th, 2024 for the adult fly, August 2nd, 2024 for the eggs)

[axollot]

Ectophasia by andre de kesel on Flickr.