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The parasite of Noctuidae. Overwintered as pupa. From Baikal region.

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Dear Victor,

Nice picture.
Still very difficult to tell which species of Tachinidae this might be.
Sorry, in this group of Goniini / Eryciini I really do need to see the material. Especially since I'm not really familiar with the fauna of the Bajkal region.


Theo Zeegers

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Thank you for your remark.

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As it is such a nice photo I tried it through Peter Tschorsnig's software-based Palearctic key that allows the user to skip elements and just enter what they see. Anyway - this is how I ran it:
- medium sized (7-10mm)
- hairy eyes
- mid-tibia with 1 ad
- Cell R5 closed at the wing margin (no petiole)
- bare arista
- arista thickened on less than basal half
- tergites 3 & 4 with median discals
- facial ridge - setae on 3/5 or more
- face bare below lowest frontal bristle

At this stage we get a choice of 4 possible genera:
- Compsilura (my best guess)
- Pseudoperichaeta (hosts micro-leps?)
- Clemelis (hosts micro-leps?)
- Campylocheta (discounted because costa without strong bristle)

What do others think? Theo? :)

Chris R.

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Hi Chris

Nice work !
Compsilura did cross my mind and was actually my best guess, but not good enough for me to publish.
But now that you have checked the database: the other 3 genera you mention are out of the question.
Moreover, the ocellar bristles seem to be lacking, a feature of Compsilura.

So I think it is safe to say that an educated guess would be:
Compsilura. Only species; C. concinnata

This species is very polyphagous and easily reared.
Again in agreement with this case.


Thanks for your help and convincing me


Theo