532. MISC. PUBLICATION 657, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 
Although the species mentioned above are polyphagous, there are 
a considerable number of tachinids that appear to be restricted to a 
single host species or to closely allied ones. For instance, Achaetoneura 
euchaetiae Wr. has been reared only from Huchaetias egle Dru., A. 
melalophae Allen from Ichthyura inclusa Hbn., and Sturmia nidicola 
Town. from Vygmia phaecorrhoea Don. 
Some species are seldom collected in the field, even in areas where 
their hosts are plentiful. On the other hand, they may be obtained 
in abundance by rearing the host species, for example, Pelatachina 
pellucida (Coq.) from Vymphalis antiopa \.., Cartocometes io Ald. 
from MWalacosoma americana F. or J, disstria Hbn., Dichaetoneura 
B 
1GURE 144.—Two beneficial flies, parasites of the gypsy moth and other de- 
foliators: A, Compsilura concinnata, adult; B, puparia of C. concinnata; C, 
Sturmia scutellata, adult. 
leucoptera John. from Archips cerasivorana Fitch or A. fervidana 
Clem. 
The Tachinidae have played an important role in biological control 
and there have been many introductions of species into the United 
States and other countries. Perhaps the most spectacular instance of 
successful parasite introduction is that of Bessa remota Ald. for con- 
trol of the Leuvana moth in Fiji. In this case, the copra industry, 
threatened with extinction, was saved by the introduction of a com- 
paratively few flies from the Malay Peninsula. 
In this country the introduction of Compsi/ura concinnata (Meig.) 
(fig. 144), a parasite of the gypsy, brown-tail, and satin moths, has 
proved highly successful. In the few years of its existence in Amer- 
ica this tachinid has made one of the most amazing records as a 
polyphagous species, having dispersed over a wide area and being 
credited with over 140 host species 
Other successful introductions include Chaetexorista javana D. 
B., parasite of the oriental moth (Cnidocampa flavescens Wlky. ‘ : 
Sturmia nidicola Town., parasite of the brown-tail moth (Nyqgmia 
