''Myiopharus doryphorae'' (formerly ''Doryphorophaga doryphorae'') is a species of
fly
Flies are insects of the Order (biology), order Diptera, the name being derived from the Ancient Greek, Greek δι- ''di-'' "two", and πτερόν ''pteron'' "wing". Insects of this order use only a single pair of wings to fly, the hindwing ...
in the family
Tachinidae. It is native to North America,
and has a current distribution ranging from British Columbia and Nova Scotia in the north to Arizona, Mexico and South Carolina in the south.
This fly is one of the main native, relatively specific
parasitoid
In evolutionary ecology, a parasitoid is an organism that lives in close association with its host (biology), host at the host's expense, eventually resulting in the death of the host. Parasitoidism is one of six major evolutionarily stable str ...
insects of the
Colorado potato beetle in North America. Its life cycle takes place in successive larval stages of the host. Its final stage occurs underground inside the nymph of the beetle.
This species has been studied for use in biological control of the
Colorado potato beetle.
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q3331360
Exoristinae
Insects described in 1869
Diptera of North America
Insects used as insect pest control agents
Diptera used as pest control agents