Rhagoletis meigenii
(Loew, 1844)
barberry fly, yellow berberis fruit fly
Rhagoletis meigenii, commonly known as the barberry or berberis , is a fruit fly to Europe, the Near East, and Central Asia. It has been to the , specifically in Nova Scotia, Canada, and the northeastern United States. are active during summer months and are associated with barberry plants.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Rhagoletis meigenii: /ræɡoʊˈliːtɪs maɪˈɡɛni.aɪ/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Distinguished from other Rhagoletis by the combination of: cream to (not ), orange-yellow body background color, and specific banding pattern with , preapical, discal, and accessory crossbands present. The two pairs of orbital separate it from some . Similar species R. completa (walnut husk ) has a yellowish-white scutellum and triangular wing pattern, and feeds on walnut rather than barberry.
Images
Appearance
Body length 8–10 mm. Background body color orange-. with prominent dark including an crossband, preapical crossband, discal crossband, and accessory crossband. with two pairs of orbital . typically cream to yellow in color.
Habitat
Associated with Berberis vulgaris (common barberry). Found in where this host occurs, including woodland edges, hedgerows, and areas with naturalized or cultivated barberry.
Distribution
to most of Europe (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Ukraine, United ), the Near East, and Central Asia. to Nearctic region: Canada (Nova Scotia) and USA (Maine, New Hampshire).
Seasonality
active July to August.
Diet
feed on pollen and nectar. feed on fruit seeds of Berberis vulgaris.
Host Associations
- Berberis vulgaris - larval feed on fruit seeds
Life Cycle
Larval development occurs within fruits of Berberis vulgaris, feeding on seeds. Specific details of and not documented in available sources.
Ecological Role
Seed of Berberis vulgaris. Potential ecological impact in range through reduction of barberry seed viability.
Human Relevance
No direct economic significance to agriculture documented. Association with Berberis vulgaris, which is itself considered in some regions, may create ecological interactions of management interest. No known medical or forensic importance.
Similar Taxa
- Rhagoletis completaSimilar banding pattern and yellowish body coloration, but R. completa has triangular wing pattern and yellowish- ; feeds on walnut (Juglans) rather than barberry
More Details
Taxonomic note
Described by Loew in 1844. The specific epithet 'meigenii' honors the German Johann Wilhelm Meigen, a pioneer in dipteran .