Tephritid flies of GSMNP
Tephritid flies of GSMNP
The true fruit flies are colorful insects whose immature stages are obligate plant feeders. GSMNP, with an estimated 60-70 species of fruit flies, is a hot spot of tephritid diversity, as it harbors over half of the fruit fly species known from all of eastern North America. We will document their biologies, distributions, host relationships, and immature stages. Methods include mass-trapping, targeted collecting, and dissection of infested plants to reveal details of feeding, development time, mortality factors, parasites and predators. Species pages, distribution maps, and photos of flies and hosts will be posted on the Web.
We are documenting the biologies, distributions, host relationships, and immature stages of tephritid flies in GSMNP. These "true fruit flies" are colorful insects whose immature stages are plant feeders. GSMNP, with an estimated 60-70 species of fruit flies, is a hot spot of tephritid diversity, as it harbors over half of all the fruit fly species known from all of eastern North America. Methods include mass-trapping, targeted collecting, and dissection of infested plants to reveal details of feeding, development time, mortality factors, parasites and predators.
Since 1999, we have documented the presence and distribution of ca. 55 species (3 or more undescribed) and 42 of their host plants in the Park, based on 2,000+ adults and 1,000+ larval specimens. Immature stages of at least 27 species have been collected and preserved; and 42 species of live adult tephritid flies occurring in GSMNP have been photographed. In addition, numerous photographs of hosts, larval stages, galls, mines, and habitats have been obtained. Videotapes of live adults of about 20 species have been filmed. The photographs and videotapes are being incorporated into the web pages for these species.
