A new record of Hesperiinae (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) parasitoidism by Tachinidae (Diptera) in Brazil

Abstract

Plants, herbivores and natural enemies are intrinsically connected in a relationship regarded as tritrophic interactions. Among the natural enemies, Tachinidae (Diptera) is a group of parasitoids that contains 9,748 species described around the world, with the Neotropical Region leading the ranking of richness. Their larvae parasite several hosts of Lepidoptera, including Hesperiidae larvae. The objective of this study is to report a Chrysotachina Brauer et Bergenstamm, 1889 species (Tachininae: Polideini) as the parasitoid of a Perichares Scudder, 1872 species (Hesperiinae: Pericharini, Pericharina) in Brazil. Two immatures were collected during February, 2025 in Joinville, Santa Catarina, Brazil, and one died. The single larva exhibited characteristics of two Perichares spp., and an individual of Chrysotachina sp. was reared from it, potentially represent a new species. This exemplifies the first report of a relationship between a Tachinidae and a Hesperiinae larva in Brazil. Additionally, it is the first to report Chrysotachina sp. on Perichares spp. in South America, once known only in Central America.