Bactrocera

Macquart, 1835

fruit flies

Species Guides

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Bactrocera is a large of tephritid fruit flies comprising approximately 500 described . The genus name derives from Ancient Greek 'bakter' (rod) and 'kera' (horn). Many species are economically significant agricultural pests that infest fruits and vegetables. The genus underwent major taxonomic revision in 2015 when Zeugodacus was split from Bactrocera based on evidence.

Bactrocera oleae by (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Bactrocera oleae by (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Katja Schulz. Used under a CC-BY license.Bactrocera by (c) Ramesh Shenai Jr., some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ramesh Shenai Jr.. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Bactrocera: //bækˈtɹɒsɛɹə//

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Human Relevance

Multiple Bactrocera are major agricultural pests causing substantial economic damage worldwide. Notable pest species include B. dorsalis (), B. tryoni (Queensland fruit fly), B. cucurbitae (), B. oleae (), and B. correcta (guava fruit fly). These species trigger protocols and programs, such as the 2015 B. dorsalis in Florida that required a 99-square-mile quarantine and six-month multi-agency eradication effort combining male annihilation techniques, soil drenches, foliar treatments, and fruit removal.

Similar Taxa

  • ZeugodacusSplit from Bactrocera in 2015 based on molecular ; previously treated as subgenus or synonym. Zeugodacus such as Z. cucurbitae () and Z. tau were formerly classified in Bactrocera.
  • DacusHistorically contained many now placed in Bactrocera; prior to 1990s most Dacini species were described in either Dacus or Strumeta. Bactrocera became the primary for the tribe after the split of Bactrocera and Dacus.

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