Tachinid flies
(Family Tachinidae)
Overview • Description • Distribution • Taxonomy
Overview
Tachinidae is a large family of flies. They are called bristle flies, tachinid flies, or less commonly, parasitic flies. There are about 8,600 Tachinidae species in almost 1,500 genera worldwide, about 1,350 species in North America north of Mexico, and at least 103 species in Minnesota. Some taxonomists suggest that Tachinidae may be the most species rich family of flies. As many as half the total number of Tachinidae species have yet to be described.
Tachinidae are found in almost all habitats. Larvae parasitize insects, spiders, and other arthropods.
Description
Distribution |
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Sources Biodiversity occurrence data published by: Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas (accessed through the Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas Portal, bellatlas.umn.edu, 11/27/2025). |
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| 11/27/2025 | ||
Taxonomy
Order
Suborder
Brachycera
Infraorder
Cyclorrhapha
Zoosection
Schizophora
Zoosubsection
Calyptratae (Calyptrate Flies)
Superfamily
Oestroidea (Bot Flies, Blow Flies, and Allies)
Subordinate Taxa
Subfamily Dexiinae 
Subfamily Phasiinae
Subfamily Tachininae
Synonyms
Deximorpha
Larvaevoridae
Myobia multiciliata
Thryptocera media
Common Names
bristle flies
parasitic flies
tachina flies
tachinid flies
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