Exorista larvarum is a Palaearctic species of fly in the family Tachinidae.[1][2]
Lepidoptera larvae, mainly Lymantriidae and Lasiocampidae. It attacks Lymantria dispar dispar.[3]: 20 Studies have been conducted into its ability to successfully prey on Mythimna unipuncta[4] and Cydalima perspectalis[5].
It lays an egg on its host. The egg hatches and the larva penetrates the host.[3]: 20 The host could escape this fate by molting before the egg hatches.[3]: 20
For rearing Exorista larvarum in controlled conditions, inexpensive diets are preferable. MEYS contains liquid skimmed milk, chicken egg yolk, yeast extract and saccharose and HEYS contains veal homogenate, chicken egg yolk, yeast extract and saccharose.[6] Though many variations of the diet yield different results.[7] Larvae have a tendency to wander, which can result in starvation, reducing wander is important for maximizing yields.[7]
Exorista larvarum is a Palaearctic species of fly in the family Tachinidae.
