The Bactrocera dorsalis complex consists of a large number of closely related species that have been extremely difficult to identify and analyze using traditional taxonomic characters. Several of these species are major agricultural pests. In recent years numerous infestations of Bactrocera species have been recorded in agriculturally sensitive areas. However, correct identification of the species involved has been problematic. In an effort to augment the current tools available for species identification, we have characterized DNA sequences from several genes (actin, zw and ribosomal ITS) from each of several different species within this complex. Using PCR amplification of these DNA sequences, we show how species identifications can be made from these DNA sequences for both known and unknown material. We also show how molecular systematic relationships among these species can be analyzed using these same DNA sequences.
Species 1: Diptera Tephritidae Bactrocera dorsalis (oriental fruit fly)
Keywords: molecular systematics, species complex
The ESA 2001 Annual Meeting - 2001: An Entomological Odyssey of ESA