Morphology of immature stages in the neotropical nonfrugivorous Tephritinae Fruit Fly Species Rachiptera limbata Bigot (Diptera: Tephritidae) on Baccharis linearis (R. et Pav.) (Asteraceae)

Abstract

Neotropical Entomology 37(5): 536-545 (2008) Morfologia dos Estados Imaturos da Espécie de Mosca das Frutas Neotropical não Frugívoradobras da cutícula, as margens da abertura oral, o esqueleto cefalofaríngeo, os espiráculos anterior e posterior e os lóbulos anais das larvas de primeiro, segundo, terceiro estádios e da pupa. O esqueleto cefalofaríngeo é altamente esclerotizado e apresenta um orifício ou abertura na cornua ventral, característica essa que parece ser plesiomórfi ca em R. limbata e outras espécies neotropicais. Os espiráculos anteriores estão ausentes nas larvas de primeiro estádio. Nas larvas de segundo e terceiro estádios são desenvolvida formando cinco túbulos curtos dispostos em fi leira única. Nas larvas de primeiro e segundo estádios, as aberturas dos espiráculos têm cerdas únicas; nas larvas de terceiro estádio não há cerdas. Essa última característica parece decorrer de uma atraso no desenvolvimento (neotenia) da larva de R. limbata, quando comparada a outras espécies neotropicais e neárticas.PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Adaptação, neotenia, caráter plesiomórfi co, apomórfi co ABSTRACT -Rachiptera limbata Bigot develops on Baccharis linearis (R. et Pav.) in the areas around Santiago, Chile. The larvae feed on stem tissues and secrete a liquid that hardens to form a protective feeding and pupation chamber. The immature stages of Neotropical species of Tephritinae are poorly known. In this paper, the morphology of the immature stages of R. limbata are described and compared, in a phylogenetic context, with other Tephritinae species. Antennomaxillary complex, pads, oral ridge, cephalopharyngeal skeleton, anterior and posterior spiracles and anal lobes of fi rst-, second-, third-instar larvae and pupae were studied with optical and scanning electron microscopy. The cephalopharyngeal skeleton is darkly sclerotized and shows an opening or window in the ventral cornua. This trait seems to be plesiomorphic in R. limbata and in other Neotropical species. First-instar larvae anterior spiracles are absent; whereas in second and third instars spiracles are developed as a row of fi ve short tubules. In fi rst-and second-instar larvae, the posterior spiracular slit has only a single hair per bundle; whereas third-instar larvae lack hairs. This last trait seems to be consequence of a larval development delay and an apomorphic trait in R. limbata, compared to other Neotropical and Neartical species.

Development of a multi-entry identification key for economically important fruit fly larvae (Diptera, Tephritidae, Dacinae)

“…In their description of the third-instar larvae of members of the Ceratitis FAR complex, Steck and Ekesi (2015) relied on electron microscope images, which are not practical for use in a routine diagnostic laboratory. Frías et al (2006 , 2008 ) also used electron microscope images to visualise some characteristics. The multi-entry key published by Carroll et al (2004 onwards) uses a combination of characteristics that can be observed using a dissection microscope, slides prepared for visualising using a compound microscope and slides prepared to visualise using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).…”

“…Region of interest circled. Abbreviations used in LucID key: AT = Apical Tooth; DA = Dorsal Apodeme; DS = Dental Sclerite; MD = Mandible; MN = Mandibular Neck; PT = Preapical Tooth; VA = Ventral Apodeme (from: Frías et al 2006 ).…”

New genera, species and host plant records of Nearctic and Neotropical Tephritidae (Diptera)

“…5) The egg of P. trinotata is similar to those of the four species for which the egg has been described previously, P. culta (Wiedemann), P. cultaris (Coquillett), P. forficula Benjamin, and P. gentilis Hering (Benjamin 1934, Cavender & Goeden 1984, in having an elongate, slender lobe on the micropyle end. The lobe is absent in Rachiptera limbata Bigot (Frías 2008) suggesting that it is a synapomorphy of Paracantha species, although it should also be noted that clearly unrelated tephritid species such as Aciurina ferruginea (Doane) and some species of Chaetorellia and Craspedoxantha have a similar elongate lobe on the egg (Tauber & Tauber 1967, White & Marquardt 1989, Freidberg 1985. 6) Paracantha species, except P. trinotata, have a radiate wing pattern, with at least some of the rays broad and orange with dark borders (Figs.…”

“…Most species form an unusual gall (Fig. 104) that is surrounded by a white spongy substance secreted by the larva giving it the superficial appearance of a ball of styrofoam (Aljaro et al 1984, Frías 2008.…”