Plants That Attract Tachinid Flies

Lamiaceae

• Lamiaceae is the mint family. Of the 210 genera, three are considered the best at attracting tachinid flies. All of them grow in sun or partial shade and are winter hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 4. Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a perennial that grows about 3 feet tall. Spearmint (Mentha spicata), another perennial, grows about 18 inches high. Crimson thyme (Thymus serpyllum coccineus) is a low-growing evergreen ground cover.

Apiaceae

• Apiaceae is a family of aromatic plants that consists of over 300 genera. Although they are all believed to attract tachinid flies, three of the best include caraway, fennel and parsley. All three need full sun. Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) and Caraway (Carum Carvi) are annuals that grow 6 inches and 18 inches high respectively. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is a perennial that grows about 5 feet high and is hardy in USDA zones 3 through 11.

Asteraceae

• Asteraceae is often referred to as the daisy or sunflower family and is another good choice for attracting tachinid flies. Among the best are marigolds, cosmos, golden marguerite and tansy. Lemon marigolds (Tagetes tenuifolia) are flowering annuals that need full sun and will produce orange to yellow blossoms all summer long. Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) are wildflowers that grow up to 6 feet high in zones 3 through 10. Golden marguerite (Anthemis tinctoria) is a perennial that produces daisy-like flowers in the late summer in USDA zones 3 through 7. Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) is a perennial that grows about 4 feet high.

Other Possibilities

• Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) is considered one of the best plants at attracting adult tachinid, according to Texas Master Gardener Bob Randall. It is an annual that will grow in sun or partial sun. Phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia) is another hardy annual that not only attracts tachinid flies, but bees and hover flies. California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum), alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) are three other choices that will attract tachinid flies.