ARS | Publication request: A new species of Anastrepha (Diptera: Tephritidae) from Colombia, Costa Rica and Panama

Submitted to: The Canadian Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: April 13, 2011
Publication Date: February 15, 2011
Citation: Norrbom, A.L., Korytkowski, C.A. 2011. A new species of Anastrepha (Diptera: Tephritidae) from Colombia, Costa Rica and Panama. The Canadian Entomologist. 144:158-168.

Interpretive Summary: The family of true fruit flies includes numerous major agricultural pests throughout the world. The majority of species that are pests in the American tropics and subtropics, and that threaten fruit industries in the southern United States, belong to a large group that contains more than 200 species. Precise taxonomic data are necessary to recognize the pest species in this group. In this paper, a species from Central and South America is recognized and described for the first time. It is compared with the most similar previously known species, which is redescribed in more detail. Identification tools, descriptions and illustrations are provided for both of these species. The ability to recognize them is essential to regulatory agencies such as APHIS-PPQ to prevent the spread of the pest species. The information provided will also be valuable to scientists studying the biology and control of fruit fly pests.

Technical Abstract: Anastrepha woodi, new species, is described and illustrated based on specimens from Colombia and Costa Rica. It is compared with A. loewi Stone, the most similar species, which is also redescribed.