Fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) research in Latin America: myths, realities and dreams

Abstract

I offer a critical assessment of fruit fly research in Latin America based on the notion that many myths and misconceptions are forced upon students and young scientists or government officials. I argue that after an enlightening beginning of the century, during which many significant discoveries were made about the natural history of these insects, little progress has been observed in many areas of fruit fly research and management in Latin America during the past 50 years. This has been caused in part by the reductionist, single-species or pest-only approaches followed in the study of these marvelous insects, as well as by the scarcity of studies under natural conditions. To break this vicious cycle, I propose that we pay more attention to the natural history of non-pest and pest species, broaden the scope and widen the time scale of our studies, strengthen the theoretical and ecological underpinnings of fruit fly research in Latin America and foster the comparative approach whenever possible. I present several fruit fly myths (e.g., the status of certain fruits as fruit fly hosts and certain species as pests), review the status of knowledge in most areas of fruit fly research in Latin America, and discuss some possibilities for future studies. I conclude by proposing that on the threshold of the new millennium, the time seems appropriate to follow those early pioneers and once again push forward our understanding of fruit fly biology, ecology and behavior. To achieve this, we need to generate new paradigms and foster creative thinking among our students.

Pest management through tropical tree conservation

“…Many species of fruit flies are severely threatened by the disappearance of native forests and severe habitat fragmentation (Aluja 1999;Aluja et al 2003). For example, Anastrepha hamata (Loew) lives in close association with Chrysophyllum mexicanum Brandegee ex Standl.…”

Anastrepha species (Diptera: Tephritidae), their hosts and parasitoids in southern Amapá State, Brazil

“…However, this knowledge is relevant to the understanding of tephritid behavior in nature (Aluja 1999). Surveys on fruit flies, their hosts and parasitoids are fundamental for a better understanding of the biology and ecology of these insects (Zucchi 2000).…”

Body size, symmetry and abundance of Euxesta stigmatias (Loew) and Euxesta sororcula (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Ulidiidae) in a natural reserve and in a guava orchard in Uberlândia, MG, Brazil

“…There is a still incipient literature database on Ulidiidae (Tephritoidea) (Brunel & Rull 2010ab), and the studied groups have restricted information regarding to its economic significance (Diaz-Fleischer & Aluja 2000) and distribution in natural, refuge areas (Aluja 1999).…”