Abstract
Third instar larvae of the genus Acroceratitis Hendel from North Thailand are described for the first time. They belong to A. ceratitina (Bezzi), A. distincta (Zia), A. histrionica (de Meijere), A. incompleta Hardy, and A. septemmaculata Hardy. Short descriptions of eggs, empty egg shells, and puparia are also presented. Acroceratitis larvae infest shoots of bamboo (Poaceae). Larval host plants of the studied species are Bambusa polymorpha Munro, Cephalostachyum pergracile Munro, Dendrocalamus hamiltoni Nees and Arnott ex Munro, D. strictus (Roxbourgh), Dendrocalamus sp. (unidentified) and Pseudoxytenanthera albociliata (Munro). The morphological characters of Acroceratitis larvae are compared with those of other Gastrozonini described so far. A key to Acroceratitis larvae is provided. Acroceratitis ceratitina, A. incompleta and A. septemmaculata are morphologically similar and clearly differentiated from A. distincta and A. histrionica by the lack of additional papillar sensilla on the labial lobe, the arrangement of the spinules on the creeping welts and other characters. The morphological differences between the two groups coincide with the type of substrate utilized by their larvae: A. ceratitina, A. incompleta and A. septemmaculata larvae feed in young and soft internode walls, while A. distincta and A. histrionica utilize harder bamboo tissue of already elongated bamboo shoot internodes. Acroceratitis histrionica larvae are special within the Gastrozonini, because they develop exclusively in cavities formed by the internode surface and the protecting culm sheath. Factors influencing spatial utilization of larval resources, preference for upright shoots as breeding substrate, larval behavior, types of bamboo damage caused by different species and attraction to sweat and urine in the adults are discussed.
Highlights
Acroceratitis Hendel is a genus of the tribe Gastrozonini, subfamily Dacinae (Korneyev, 1999) comprising 17 described species (Kovac et al, 2006; David et al, 2014)
In the present study we describe the third instar larvae of Acroceratitis ceratitina (Bezzi), A. distincta (Zia), A. histrionica (Meijere), A. incompleta Hardy, and A. septemmaculata Hardy, all collected by D
Since none of the morphological characters characterizing Gastrozonini species as Dacinae are present in all Gastrozonini species, the easiest way to discriminate Gastrozonini larvae from other Tephritidae is to include their association with Poaceae as a diagnostic character
Summary
Acroceratitis Hendel is a genus of the tribe Gastrozonini, subfamily Dacinae (Korneyev, 1999) comprising 17 described species (Kovac et al, 2006; David et al, 2014). Most Dacinae are frugivorous and many are pests of commercially important fruits and vegetables (White & Elson-Harris, 1992). Larvae of only six Gastrozonini species have been known: Elson-Harris (1992) described the third instar larvae of Chaetellipsis paradoxa Bezzi (as Chaetellipsis atrata Hardy), Chaetellipsis maculosa Hancock and Drew N.; see Hancock & Drew, 1999), Gastrozona fasciventris (Macquart) and Cyrtostola limbata (Hendel) [as Taeniostola limbata (Hendel); see Hancock & Drew, 1999], while Kovac et al (2013, 2017) described the third instar larvae of Ichneumonopsis burmensis (Hardy) and Acrotaeniostola spiralis Munro Larvae of only six Gastrozonini species have been known: Elson-Harris (1992) described the third instar larvae of Chaetellipsis paradoxa Bezzi (as Chaetellipsis atrata Hardy), Chaetellipsis maculosa Hancock and Drew (as Chaetellipsis sp. n.; see Hancock & Drew, 1999), Gastrozona fasciventris (Macquart) and Cyrtostola limbata (Hendel) [as Taeniostola limbata (Hendel); see Hancock & Drew, 1999], while Kovac et al (2013, 2017) described the third instar larvae of Ichneumonopsis burmensis (Hardy) and Acrotaeniostola spiralis Munro
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
