Host plants of invasive tephritid fruit fly species of economic importance

Authors: McQuate, Grant; NICANOR, LIQUIDO - Animal And Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

Submitted to: International Journal of Plant Biology and Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/28/2017
Publication Date: 8/29/2017
Citation: Mcquate, G.T., Nicanor, L.J. 2017. Host plants of invasive tephritid fruit fly species of economic importance. International Journal of Plant Biology and Research. 5(4):1072. Available: https://www.jscimedcentral.com/Plant Biology/plantbiology-5-1072.pdf.

Interpretive Summary: The larval stage of tephritid fruit flies feeds in fruits and vegetables which can ruin fruits and vegetables for local consumption as well as create concern for risk of introducing fruit fly species to new geographic areas through shipment of infested fruits and vegetables. There are many tephritid fruit fly species worldwide, and different fruit fly species infest different species of fruits and vegetables. In order to provide a sense of the scope of potential infestation by invasive tephritid fruit fly species in the U.S.A., we examined recently updated lists of host plants for which field infestation has been documented by 11 tropical/subtropical tephritid fruit fly species that have previously invaded, or have potential to invade, the U.S.A. The overall plant taxa on the combined host lists represent 99 plant families and 330 plant genera. Although fruit fly species vary considerably in the range of host plants that they can infest, natural field infestation for one species, the oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis), has been documented in 76 plant families. Knowledge of the host status of different fruits and vegetables for potentially invasive tephritid fruit fly species is needed in assessing the risk of fruit fly species in imported and exported fruit and vegetable commodities and for developing systems approaches and other mitigation measures to facilitate global trade.

Technical Abstract: There are many tephritid fruit fly species worldwide, a number of which pose a threat of introduction and establishment in new areas where they had not previously been present. Tephritid fruit fly larvae feeding in fruits and vegetables can ruin fruits and vegetables for local consumption as well as create concern for risk of introducing fly species to new areas through produce shipments. Using recently updated provisional host lists developed for 11 tephritid fruit fly species that have previously invaded, or have potential to invade, the U.S.A., 99 plant families, and 330 plant genera, are identified which include plant species for which natural field infestation has been documented. Although fruit fly species vary considerably in the range of host plants that they can infest, natural field infestation for one species, the oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis), has been documented in 76 plant families. Knowledge of the host status of different fruits and vegetables is needed in assessing the risk of fruit fly species in imported and exported fruit and vegetable commodities and for developing systems approaches and other mitigation measures to facilitate global trade.