Tachinid Host-Parasite Database

by John Strazanac

Paul Arnaud's "A Host-Parasite Catalog of North American Tachinidae (Diptera)" has been the single most important publication on this region's tachinid host relationships since it was first published in 1978. During the ensuing 35 years taxonomic nomenclature of the tachinids and their hosts has been regularly revised, making the catalog increasing challenging to use. With the assistance of 39 contributors listed in the Introduction, the taxonomic nomenclature has been updated. To facilitate the future updating of the nomenclature when needed, the catalog has been revised in this electronic database form. Arnaud's foresighted layout made the task of converting his catalog to an electronic database a straightforward task.

Instructions for downloading database
The host-parasite database is a stand-alone application constructed in FileMakerPro5. There are about 50 files involved with a total size of almost 40 MB. The files have been zipped into a single 13 MB file to facilitate downloading.

Create and name a folder for the host-parasite database. Download the zipped file below into the folder. Using an unzipping application like WinZip, unzip the file into its component files and two folders (folder FMaker inside folder TacHost). No further installation is required.

Download the Tachinid Host-Parasite Database

Instructions for using database
Open the file "TacHost.exe" in folder "TacHost". This will start the database application and bring up the opening screen. In the middle of the screen is a color version of Robert W. Mitchell's image of a Winthemia attacking a sphinx caterpillar that appeared on the first page of Paul Arnaud's catalog. Click on the image to go the main interface screen that has two columns of fields and a row of buttons along the bottom.

The Introduction button sends you to a text window with general information about the database. The Help button sends you to descriptions of layouts and button functions.

References

Arnaud, P.H., Jr. 1978. A host-parasite catalog of North American Tachinidae (Diptera). United States Department of Agriculture. Miscellaneous Publication 1319. 860 pages.

O'Hara, J.E. and Wood, D.M. 2004. Catalogue of the Tachinidae (Diptera) of America north of Mexico. Memoirs on Entomology, International 18. 410 pp.

First published on the Internet in 2005
Last update: 16 February 2005
J.E. O'Hara