For a general description of the genus, see the datasheet on Anastrepha.
No male lures have yet been identified for Anastrepha spp. However, they are captured by traps emitting ammonia and it is likely that traps already set for Rhagoletis cerasi in the cherry-growing areas of the EPPO region may attract Anastrepha spp. if they should ever occur in those areas. McPhail traps are usually used for the capture of Anastrepha spp. (Drew, 1982) and possible baits are ammonium acetate (Hedstrom and Jimenez, 1988), casein hydrolysate (Sharp, 1987) and torula yeast (Hedstrom and Jiron, 1985). The number of traps required per unit area is high;in a release and recapture test, Calkins et al. (1984) placed 18 traps per 0.4 ha and only recovered about 13% of the released flies.
Some studies have shown that egg morphology can be used to separate closely related species found in host fruits (Murillo and Jiron, 1994). The larvae of some species may also be differentiated using cuticular hydrocarbons (Sutton and Carlson, 1993). Neither method has yet been generalized for application outside of very specific circumstances.
Related invasive species
- Anastrepha obliqua
Related Farm Practice
- Damage
A. obliqua is the most important fruit fly pest of mango (Mangifera indica) in the Neotropics and attacks a broad range of other fruits. It is widespread in Mexico, Central and South America and the West Indies. It is invasive in the Lesser Antilles and was temporarily established in Key West, Florida, USA. It should be considered a serious threat to other tropical parts of the world, particularly mango-producing regions. It is considered an A1 quarantine pest by EPPO.
Attacked fruit can show signs of oviposition punctures, but these, or any other symptoms of damage, are often difficult to detect in the early stages of infestation. Much damage may occur inside the fruit before external symptoms are seen, often as networks of tunnels accompanied by rotting. Very sweet fruits may produce a sugary exudate.
The main native hosts are Spondias spp. (Anacardiaceae), but these are only of local interest. Mangoes [ Mangifera indica ], also Anacardiaceae, are the economically important host, on which the species has extended its range (Hernandez-Ortiz, 1992). Citrus spp. and guavas [ Psidium guajava ] are only occasional hosts. Like other Anastrepha spp., A. obliqua has been recorded incidentally on a wider range of fruits, both tropical and temperate, but these records are incidental occurrences, of no economic significance.
In common with other polyphagous and difficult to identify species, many host records cannot be substantiated and only records confirmed by Norrbom and Kim (1988) or subsequent reliable sources have been accepted here. Post 1988 records include Eugenia stipitata (Couturier et al., 1996).