Abstract: The family of Tephritid fruit flies (Tephritidae, Diptera) is composed of more than 4000 species and more than 350 are of economic importance (EI). The Tephritid Barcoding Initiative (TBI) aims at obtaining DNA barcodes for all EI species and the majority of their congeners. Dry pinned specimens from natural history collections are an important resource for reference material, but were often collected decades ago. We observed a strong decrease in the success rate of obtaining a full COX1 DNA barcode (658 bp), with an increasing age of the specimens. Obtaining full barcodes is often not possible using standard protocols. We developed a universal Tephritid primer set for multiple overlapping mini-barcodes that allows reconstructing the full COX1 DNA barcode. These newly developed primers and the corresponding protocol will facilitate the utilization of the extensive natural history collection by the TBI consortium.

Abstract: Significance of fruit flies in vegetable crops . Vegetable crops hold a key position in agricultural production in Reunion (Indian Ocean); however, many pests and diseases threaten the profitability of this agricultural sector. Fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) figure among the main pests for solanaceous crops and cucurbits (cucumber, zucchini, melon, etc.). Losses of as much as 80% of tomato and 100% of cucurbit crop harvests have been frequently observed. Inventory and distribution . Four fruit fly species belonging to the Tephritidae family cause major damage to vegetable crops in Reunion: Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillet), Dacus ciliatus Loew and D. demmerezi (Bezzi) on Cucurbitaceae, and Neoceratitis cyanescens (Bezzi) on Solanaceae (primarily the tomato). Distribution of each of them is presented. Biology and behavior . A few studies on the biology and behavior of the four fruit flies were conducted in Reunion in the late 1990s. Their main biological characteristics are summarized. Population control methods used in Reunion . Various methods such as chemical control, preventive measures (sanitation), physical control, biotechnical control [colored traps, the Male Annihilation Technique (MAT) and the Bait Application Technique (BAT)], and biological control currently used in Reunion against fruit flies are reported. Other control methods such as Integrated Pest Management and the Sterile Insect Technique are not used in Reunion. Prospects for implementing agro-ecological management of vegetable fruit flies in Reunion . This part presents research actions implemented in fly bio-ecology, research actions into the genetic structure of populations and design of an agro-ecological management scheme for vegetable fruit flies. Conclusions . The control methods used independently have not been successful to effectively control tephritid populations. A more integrated approach is required, also taking into account the landscape scale and its mosaic of habitats, especially wild plants, whose role must be considered within a framework of agro-ecological management of these pest populations. (Resume d'auteur)

Abstract: The olive fruit fly [Bactrocera (Dacus) oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae)] adult diet since its development in the 1960’s regularly incorporates antibiotic. Considering recent findings on the importance and function of the indigenous microbial flora of insects, the effects of antibiotic removal were measured on the survival and egg laying of wild flies derived from McPhail trappings and from field infested olive fruits. In the first case wild flies fed no antibiotic laid significantly greater numbers of eggs for two generations (in 5 out of 10 and 2 out of 10 counting dates for G1 and G2 respectively), while there were no significant differences in survival in either test (P = 0.221 for P generation, P = 0.988 for G1 generation from McPhail traps, P = 0.056 for flies from infested fruits). Percent egg‐pupa recovery and adult emergence were not significantly affected by lack of antibiotic. An antibiotic-free strain has been maintained for eight generations, showing acceptable performance when compared to the long-reared standard ‘Laboratory’ strain. Overall results suggest the feasibility of an adult diet free of antibiotic without negative effects on colony survival and performance. J. Appl. Entomol.

Abstract: Bactrocera (Zeugodacus) fraserensis, new species, a Dacinae fruit fly from Peninsular Malaysia is described and illustrated. It closely resembles Bactrocera (Zeugodacus) atrifacies Perkins, Bactrocera (Zeugodacus) scutellaris (Bezzi) and Bactrocera (Zeugodacus) scutellata (Hendel). The differences between these species are given. New records from Peninsular Malaysia are Acanthonevra hemileina Hering, Acanthonevra shinonagai Hardy, Phaeospilodes fenestella (Coquillett), Sphenella sinensis Schiner and Trupanea glauca (Thomson). New records from East Malaysia are Calloptera asteria (Hendel), Dacus (Callantra) ooii Drew & Hancock, and Dacus (Callantra) vijaysegarani Drew & Hancock, while those from Brunei Darussalam are Carpophthorella sookae Chua and Euphranta sabahensis Hancock & Drew.

Abstract: Several different taxa within the genera Dacus and Ceratitis (Diptera: Tephritidae) are important agricultural pests in Sub-Saharan Africa. Although the status of many of these taxa as distinct species and their phylogenetic relationships is unclear, it is clear that these pests use a wide range of host plants and are highly invasive. The great potential for economic damage inflicted by these pests requires the ability to make accurate and reliable taxonomic identification of specimens. However, many limitations and uncertainties are encountered when these species are examined using traditional approaches based on morphological identification techniques. We describe here the amplification and analysis of DNA sequences from the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase II (COII)-tRNAlys-tRNAAsp genes from individuals of various Dacus and Ceratitis species and populations from Sub-Saharan Africa. The variation detected in the DNA sequences of these individuals is used both for clarification of their taxonomic status and the analysis of phylogenetic relationships of these taxa.

Abstract: Sticky “cloak” traps (CSALOMON® PAL) baited with the synthetic pheromone racemic 1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane were most efficient among the trap designs tested for catching male olive fly Bactrocera (Dacus) oleae Gmelin (Diptera, Tephritidae) in field tests in Croatia. Colour cues did not influence male catches. Consequently transparent sticky “cloak” traps baited with pheromone appear to be the best choice for detection and monitoring of males of the olive fly in Croatia. Female flies did not respond to the pheromone, however, were weakly attracted to the visual cues of yellow and fluorescent yellow.

Abstract: A systematic investigation of the diseases and insect pests of mango plants in 24 cities and counties in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomic Region was conducted.Twenty diseases were documented,of which the most important were powdery mildew,anthracnose,bacterial black rot and blossom-end rot.Mango vesicular disease,mango malformation disease and mango red-spot disease were the first to be recorded in China.Ninetyfour insect pests,from 8 orders and 38 families,were found.Major insect pests were Pseudonoorda minor Munroe,Chlumetia transversa Walker,Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood,Dacus dorsalis Hendel and Idioscopus incertus Baker.A species of noxious gastropod was also found.