The structure of the female postabdomen and associated sensilla of tephritoid flies (Diptera: Tephritoidea)

Abstract

The external morphology of Tephritoidea was studied, including the types and distribution of sensilla on the female postabdomen. The complex oviposition behavior of tephritoid flies has resulted in extensive morphological modifications of the female postabdominal segments and the formation of characteristic distribution patterns of sensilla. The study revealed three morphologically distinct types of postabdomen in Tephritoidea: otitid, tephritid, and pyrgotid. The possible physiological functions of the major morphological adaptations and the homologies of segments of the post abdomen are discussed. The results confirm the present conception of the superfamily Tephritoidea, with the exception of Piophilidae. The morphological differences found in the female terminalia of Piophilidae indicate that inclusion of this family within Tephritoidea should be reconsidered.