Orange and black Tachinid Fly

This big hairy fly may look scary, or even evil, but it is a beneficial insect to gardeners. The larvae of these flies are parasitic on other insects, many of which are harmful to crops. This fly, Archytas sp., is not too common in my little world but I do see them once in awhile. The genus takes its name from a Greek philospher Archytas of Tarentum (c. 428-350 B.C.) who thought many things along mathematical and engineering lines, and who also has a crater on the moon named after him.