INVASIVE PHYTOPHAGOUS PESTS ARISING THROUGH A RECENT TROPICAL EVOLUTIONARY RADIATION: TheBactrocera dorsalisComplex of Fruit Flies

Abstract

The Bactrocera dorsalis complex of tropical fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae: Dacinae) contains 75 described species, largely endemic to Southeast Asia. Within the complex are a small number of polyphagous pests of international significance, including B. dorsalis sensu stricto, B. papayae, B. carambolae, and B. philippinensis. Most species within the complex were described in 1994 and since then substantial research has been undertaken in developing morphological and molecular diagnostic techniques for their recognition. Such techniques can now resolve most taxa adequately. Genetic evidence suggests that the complex has evolved in only the last few million years, and development of a phylogeny of the group is considered a high priority to provide a framework for future evolutionary and ecological studies. As model systems, mating studies on B. dorsalis s.s. and B. cacuminata have substantially advanced our understanding of insect use of plant-derived chemicals for mating, but such studies have not been applied to help resolve the limits of biological species within the complex. Although they are commonly regarded as major pests, there is little published evidence documenting economic losses caused by flies of the B. dorsalis complex. Quantification of economic losses caused by B. dorsalis complex species is urgently needed to prioritize research for quarantine and management. Although they have been documented as invaders, relatively little work has been done on the invasion biology of the complex and this is an area warranting further work.

Morphometry and distribution of sensilla on the antennae of Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae)

“…is a major pest in South America due to its direct impact on fruit production in a wide variety of hosts (Aluja 1994, Kovaleski et al 2000, Clark et al 2005. Host localization, oviposition, feeding, and mating in Tephritidae species can be mediated by airborne substances from plants (Robacker et al 1990a,b, Fletcher & Prokopy 1991, Landolt et al 1992.…”

Preliminary inventory of fruit fly species (Diptera, Tephritidae) in mango orchards in the Niayes region, Senegal, in 2004

“…This latest invasive species, which originates from Southern Asia, was described in 2005 and called Bactrocera invadens Drew Tsuruta & White. It belongs to the Bactrocera dorsalis complex of tropical fruit flies which includes around 75 species often endemic to South East Asia [21][22][23]. From the general overview obtained, it seems that this new invasive species was still acclimatising in Senegal in 2004, although it is widely distributed in other parts of sub-Saharan Africa.…”

Protein Baits, Volatile Compounds and Irradiation Influence the Expression Profiles of Odorantbinding Protein Genes in Bactrocera Dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae)

“…This fruit fly was reported for the first time in Taiwan in 1912 (Hardy, 1973). B. dorsalis is a serious quarantine pest throughout the world, resulting in severe financial damage to multiple crops that are among its 270 host plant species (Clarke et al, 2005;Chen et al, 2008; Leblanc et al, 2013;Vargas et al, 2015). The extensive damage caused by this particular pest worldwide raises serious concerns about crop yields due to the high resistance of this pest to chemical insecticides (Hu et al, 2014).…”