Digital identification tool: Anastrepha and Toxotrypana

Published: Mié, 06 Mar 2013, 13:46
Last updated: Lun, 05 Oct 2015, 14:32
USDA-APHIS-PPQ, Science and Technolofy, Center for Plant Health Science and Technology (CPHST), Identification Technology Program (ITP) is pleased to announce the release of its first digital identification tool to fruit flies. -Anastrepha and Toxotrypana: descriptions, illustrations, and interactive keys- was developed through collaboration between CPHST and an international team led by Allen Norrbom of USDA ARS SEL. True fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) include some of the world's most serious agricultural pests. Of the more than 4,600 tephritids known worldwide, nearly 200 are considered pests. Anastrepha and Toxotrypana are the two most economically important genera of true fruit flies in the American tropics and subtropics. Both Anastrepha and Toxotrypana are endemic to and widespread in the American tropics and subtropics. Species of both genera breed almost exclusively in fruits. Larvae of many species apparently develop in the pulp of the fruit, but others feed exclusively or facultatively on the seeds or developing seed tissues. The tool is aimed primarily at professional users. However, there is wealth of annotated illustrations along with glossary definitions, enabling use of the keys and facts sheets by a much wider audience. In addition to providing relevant taxonomic information, as well as diagnostic images for each species, users have a choice of two matrix-based interactive keys (Intkey or Lucid). The tool also includes generic diagnostic information to ensure your specimen belongs to Anastrepha or Toxotrypana, as well as links to databases, with host plant, distribution, and nomenclatural information.
Resource provide by:

• NPPO of USA

URL: click here
Type of contact: ONPF
Tags:

• Diagnostic protocol

Submitted by: USDA-APHIS