Long-legged Tachinid Fly from Ecuador

This Tachinid Fly was filmed while grooming itself near Rio Pastaza in the rainforest of Ecuador. Tachinid or Bristle Flies (Tachinidae) are a large family of parasitoid flies. The larvae (maggots) develop inside a living host, such as caterpillars of butterflies and moths, beetles and other insects, and ultimately kill it. Adult Tachinids are not parasitic, but either do not feed at all or live on flower nectar, decaying matter, or other sources of energy. Many species feed on pollen and can be important pollinators of plants. Some tachinid flies are used as biological control agents by farmers.