Submitted to: Insecta Mundi
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: March 17, 2002
Publication Date: December 17, 2003
Citation: Norrbom, A.L. The status of euaresta stelligera coquillett) (diptera: tephritidae).. Insecta Mundi.16: 81-85
Interpretive Summary: Although many species of fruit flies (family Tephritidae) are pests of fruits and vegetables, others are considered beneficial to man because they attack weedy plants. Species of the genus Euaresta breed in ragweeds, bursages, and cockleburs of the closely related plant genera Ambrosia, Xanthium, and Dicoria (Asteraceae). Because some of their host plants cause ehealth problems (hayfever and other allergic reactions) and/or are agricultural weeds, various Euaresta species have been investigated or introduced as biological control agents. In this paper, the status of two very similar western North American species that had been confused as one is resolved. Characters to tell them apart are provided, their distribution is documented, and data on their host plants are summarized. This information will be useful to biological control workers or to anyone studying the fruit fly fauna of Western North America.
Technical Abstract:
Based on examination of morphological characters from specimens from throughout their ranges, Euaresta stelligera (Coquillett) is confirmed to be a distinct species from E. bellula (Snow). The diagnostic characters, distributions, and host plants of both species are discussed. New distribution records for E. aequalis (Loew) and E. tapetis (Coquillett) are ealso provided.
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