Tachinids are interesting and economically important. Anatomically, they have well developed “calypters” at the base of
               the wings. They are protelean parasitoids* of other insects and occasionally spiders, millipedes and centipedes. Most are
               not restricted to a single host species; as such, many are economically important natural enemies of major pests. Many
               species of tachinid flies have been introduced into North America as biocontrols to suppress populations of alien pests.

               * Protelean parasites refer to insects that begin the juvenile phase of their lives as parasites and ultimately destroy or
               consume their host to emerge as free-living adults. Defining attributes of Protelean parasitoids include a parasitic nature
               that is confined to the larval stage, destruction of a single host, and an independent mature stage. Parasitoids and their
               host organisms typically comprise the same taxonomic class.

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