Measurement of the aculeus for the characterization of five Anastrepha species of the fraterculus group (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Abstract

Species identification of the genus Anastrepha Schiner is based mostly on the shape of the aculeus apex. In some species groups, such as fraterculus, species are separated by subtle differences in the aculeus apex, namely Anastrepha fraterculus (Wied.), A. obliqua (Macquart), A. sororcula Zucchi, A. zenildae Zucchi and A. turpiniae Stone. In order to help the identification, the aculei of these five species from 25 localities of 17 Brazilian states were measured. The aculeus and apex lengths of these species vary along geographical distribution and even from specimens reared from same host. For this reason and due to superimposition, these Anastrepha species cannot be separated based on the two measures exclusively.

Insecta; taxonomy; fruit fly