Determination of larval instars of Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae) using sclerited structures
Keywords:
Oriental fruit fly, instar, sclerite structureAbstract
The oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is one of the most economically important pests in tropical and subtropical areas of the world, where it causes serious damage to fruit production. This study aims to investigate the criteria for dividing the larval instars of B. dorsalis, which will be fundamental for the monitoring and forecasting, as well as the development of efficient control measures of B. dorsalis. Five morphological variables, including the body length, the length and width of mouth hooks, and the length and width of pharyngeal sclerite of the larvae, were measured, respectively. In combination with the Crosby growth rule, the criteria of larval instar division were determined. The larvae of B. dorsalis can be divided into three instars. Pharyngeal sclerite and mouth hooks are the characteristic structures of the larvae of B. dorsalis. The length of pharyngeal sclerite is the best morphological variable for distinguishing the larval instars of B. dorsalis, while the length and the width of mouth hooks and the width of pharyngeal sclerite can be used as additional characteristics. There was an overlap in the variation range of body length between the adjacent larval instars of B. dorsalis, and therefore body length can not be used to separate the larval instars accurately.
Key Words: oriental fruit fly; instar; sclerite structure
Resumen
La mosca de la fruta oriental, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae), es considerada una de las plagas más importantes desde el punto de vista económico en las zonas tropicales y subtropicales del mundo, donde causa daños serios a la producción de frutas. El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar el criterio para dividir los instares de B. dorsalis, que serán fundamentales para el control y pronóstico de la tasa de desarrollo, así como el desarrollo de medidas de control eficaces contra B. dorsalis. Se midieron cinco variables morfológicas, incluyendo la longitud corporal, la longitud y el ancho de los ganchos bucales y la longitud y el ancho de las escleritas faríngeas de las larvas. Se utilizó La regla de crecimiento de Crosby para determinar que B. dorsalis tiene 3 estadios. La longitud de las escleritas faríngeas es la mejor variable morfológica para distinguir los instares de B. dorsalis, mientras que la longitud y el ancho de los ganchos bucales y el ancho de las escleritas faríngeas pueden usarse como características adicionales. Hay una superposición en la longitud del cuerpo entre los instares adyacentes de B. dorsalis, por lo tanto, la longitud del cuerpo no se puede utilizar para separar los instars con precisión.
Palabras Clave: mosca de la fruta oriental; Instar; estructura de esclerita
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