Taxonomy, attack strategies and host relations in flowerhead Tephritidae: a review

Abstract

Abstract. 1. Host relations of Palaearctic flowerhead‐inhabiting tephritids (Diptera: Tephritidae) are reviewed in terms of the interaction between type of attack strategy and flowerhead size.2. Three types of attack strategy are recognized, each associated with a particular phase of Compositae flowerhead development. These strategies are characteristic of a tribe or subfamily, viz the Tephritini (Tephritinae), Terelliini (Tephritinae) and Myopitinae.3. Tephritini species show the most generalized feeding method, and this enables them to attack both large and very small flowerheads. In contrast, the more specialized requirements of members of the Terelliini and Myopitinae apparently restricts these groups to plant taxa with large flowerheads. As a result, over the whole range of Compositae flowerhead sizes, there exists a positive relationship between flowerhead size and the diversity of associated tephritids.4. The occurrence of stem‐feeding tephritids, and differences between a coevolutionary and functional (colonization) explanation for tephritid host‐relations are discussed.